Editorial
Employee Appreciation Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate your team’s hard work and dedication. Recognition is more than just a feel-good gesture; it’s a business strategy with tangible benefits. Companies that foster a culture of appreciation see 63% higher productivity and 31% lower turnover. At the same time, 36% of employees cite lack of recognition as the top reason for considering a job switch.
Hybrid and remote work environments can make it harder to connect and celebrate successes. The lack of face-to-face interactions means employees’ contributions risk being overlooked and makes it more challenging to create opportunities to build camaraderie and a sense of belonging.
Yet, these environments offer a unique opportunity to rethink how we show appreciation, through intentional efforts and use of digital tools to ensure no team member feels left out.
This year, make Employee Appreciation Day the start — or continuation — of showing your employees they’re truly valued. Whether your team is in the office, remote or a mix of both, here are four thoughtful ways to celebrate not just today, but all year long.
1. Train Managers to Make Recognition Meaningful
Recognition starts at the top, so it’s critical managers know how to do it well. Managers set the tone for how valued employees feel, so equip them with the right tools and strategies to recognize their teams effectively — both in-person and remotely.
Start by offering manager training that emphasizes the importance of personalization and consistency. Recognition doesn’t need to be elaborate to be meaningful. Teach managers simple yet impactful ways to show appreciation, such as handwritten thank-you notes, personalized emails or quick shoutouts at the beginning of team meetings. Provide budget-friendly ideas to keep recognition accessible to all, regardless of resources.
Remote managers have the added challenge of finding creative ways to make recognition feel authentic despite physical distance. To help them excel, consider equipping them with tools tailored for remote environments. For instance, at Firstup, we sent a box to all managers at the beginning of the year that included communication and recognition tips, thank-you cards, stamps and a guide with innovative ideas for recognizing team members. This small gesture helps managers make recognition a seamless part of their routine.
Another way to support remote recognition is to leverage digital tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams. Share "Recognition Tip of the Month" ideas for managers to use with their teams, such as starting a “Cheers for Peers” channel where employees can give each other kudos or using a fun emoji-based system for celebrating accomplishments. For example, gifs or custom reactions can liven up the recognition and make it more engaging for their teams.
By providing managers with these tools and tips, you make recognition a natural and ongoing part of their leadership style — not just on Employee Appreciation Day. This consistent effort helps boost team engagement, morale and productivity, and makes employees feel seen and valued no matter where they work.
2. Host a Virtual Gratitude Contest
Tap into the power of peer-to-peer recognition by organizing a gratitude contest in March — or better yet, each quarter. Encourage employees to submit posts or videos through your communication platform, sharing shoutouts for their colleagues. Each submission enters both the recognizer and the recognized into a drawing for prizes.
A robust communication platform not only helps connect global employees regardless of their location but also ensures the entire organization can see and celebrate these moments of appreciation. Beyond the rewards, this initiative builds a public display of recognition that fosters connection, pride and a stronger sense of community in remote or hybrid workforces.
3. Give Company-Branded Swag
Show your team some love with swag that reflects your company’s identity. Think branded shirts, reusable water bottles or coffee mugs—items employees will actually use and enjoy. Swag is especially great for remote and hybrid teams because it can be shipped directly to employees' homes. Plus, it’s a nice touch when employees wear their branded gear during virtual meetings, showcasing their company pride. Personalize the experience with thoughtful touches, such as selecting items that align with your team’s interests or offering a “swag shop” where they can choose their favorites after being awarded swag points.
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4. Extend Appreciation Year-Round
Don’t let recognition stop on March 7. Build a culture of gratitude into your workplace by making employee appreciation a year-round focus. Establish monthly or quarterly recognition programs, host regular team-building activities, or introduce digital tools that make recognizing colleagues easy and accessible.
Build a Culture of Appreciation
Employee Appreciation Day is a meaningful reminder to celebrate your team, but the benefits of recognition grow when it becomes part of your everyday culture. This is especially important in remote and hybrid environments, where regular acknowledgment helps bridge the physical distance and reinforces a sense of belonging. By consistently prioritizing appreciation and equipping managers and employees with tools to make recognition seamless — no matter where they work — you’ll foster a workplace where everyone feels valued, motivated and inspired to do their best work.
Let March 7 be the spark that ignites this commitment — and let your dedication to employee appreciation keep the flame alive all year.
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