According to recent research from Gallup, employee recognition has a significant impact on critical success metrics like morale, engagement, and retention. Researchers have found that well-recognized employees are 2.9 times more likely to be engaged at work and 45% less likely to leave after two years.
With the global cost of lost productivity due to disengagement estimated at $8.8 trillion and the cost of replacing frontline workers rising to 40% of their annual salaries, recognition is key in curbing expenses, building a high-performing culture, stabilizing the workforce, and achieving organizational success.
Valentine’s month is the perfect time to show appreciation for your employees’ contributions. Explore some creative and inclusive ideas that go beyond candy and cards to strengthen connections and boost morale both in and out of the office.
Low-Cost, High-Impact Employee Recognition Strategies
Are you looking for practical ways to recognize your employees this Valentine’s month? These creative ideas will help you celebrate your remote and in-person teams.
Handwritten Notes
Gallup research shows that, when asked what types of recognition have been the most memorable, many employees emphasize private acknowledgments from bosses, peers, and customers.
Handwritten notes have a particularly strong impact since they show that the writer has thought deeply about the recipient. They communicate that the employee is valued beyond their work, which makes them feel truly seen and appreciated.
When distributing handwritten notes, don’t forget to put cards in the mail for your remote team members.
Compliance Tip: Avoid Valentine’s-themed cards with language that can trigger a risk of harassment claims. Stick to plain cards with neutral colors and messaging.
Extended Time Off
Offering employees a much-needed break to catch up on rest or take care of personal matters can improve their work-life balance and mental health. It also shows them that you value them as human beings.
Even if you aren’t able to give employees an entire day off, allowing them to leave early or come in late can have a positive impact.
Compliance Tip: Ensure that flex time is fairly distributed to all employees, and outline a clear policy for request prioritization (e.g., seniority or first-come, first-served).
Surprise Treats
Specialty coffees, sweet treats, or free meals remind employees that you are thinking about them and will go out of your way to ensure they feel appreciated.
Although your remote employees aren’t with you in the office, you can still recognize them by having lunch or treats delivered to their front doors or providing them with gift cards to local coffee shops or restaurants.
Compliance Tip: Ask about dietary restrictions, offer diverse options, and label all items with potential allergens.
Desk Upgrades
Providing employees with the opportunity to buy some cool new desk decor (such as a plant or nice picture frame) not only inspires their creativity but also serves as a tangible sign of your appreciation.
Make sure to include remote employees in this recognition activity. Consider providing a gift card to an office supply store so they can select the item they want.
Compliance Tip: Establish clear policies for approved office decor, and document monetary or gift-based recognition for tax and equity purposes.
Gratitude Wall
Pick a common space in the office (or use a shared document or messaging platform for remote employees) where your team can leave notes of gratitude for each other. This gives employees a visual representation of the positive impact they’ve made on their peers. It shows them how their contributions have made the team better.
Compliance Tip: Establish guidelines for what is appropriate to write. An HR professional should monitor and moderate the gratitude wall to remove sensitive personal information, inappropriate jokes, or anything that could be seen as harassment or discrimination.
Tips for Inclusive Recognition Across Your Organization
Successful team appreciation requires careful thought and planning. Keep these best practices in mind to ensure you stay compliant and make everyone feel included:
- Avoid Romantic or Exclusionary Overtones: Skip the traditional romance-themed decor and language
- Tie Recognition to Core Values or Business Goals: Focus on your company’s values, like teamwork, growth, and community contribution
- Emphasize Employee-Led Appreciation That Feels Authentic: Highlight shared experiences and give employees space to recognize each other’s efforts
Compliance Tip: Ensure fairness in who gets recognized and how, and make sure to communicate that all activities are voluntary.
Compliant Celebrations Bring Joy and Peace of Mind
A creative and inclusive employee recognition strategy can go a long way in building morale. Take time this February to acknowledge your team’s efforts and show appreciation for all they contribute to your company’s culture and success.
While you are planning your team recognition activities for Valentine’s month, keep compliance top of mind and make sure that everyone feels included and well cared for.
VirgilHR’s automated platform helps you stay in line with current regulations and build policies that ensure fairness at every turn. Schedule a demo today to see how we streamline compliance so that you can focus on celebrating your workforce.