41 Unique Employee of the Month Ideas to Boost Morale and Foster Company Culture

Check out these 30 unique employee of the month ideas to recognize top-performing employees and boost morale.

February 16, 2023
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Employee recognition and rewards are essential for a company's success. Recognizing and rewarding employees' efforts, hard work, and achievements can motivate employees to perform better, increase employee engagement and loyalty, and boost morale. One way to recognize top-performing employees is through an employee of the month award or recognition program. In this blog post, we will share 41 unique employee of the month ideas that incorporate company values, boost employee morale, recognize employee contributions, and motivate employees.

Employee of the Month Ideas

Monthly Awards Ceremony

Hold a monthly awards ceremony to recognize and reward star employees. This can include employee of the month awards, problem solver awards, customer service awards, and more. Involve the entire team, including remote employees, in the ceremony through video conferencing.

Company Culture Day

Organize a company culture day in honor of the employee of the month. This can include a potluck lunch, games, and other activities that showcase your company's core values and culture.

Personalized Thank-You Note

Write a personalized thank-you note to your employee of the month. Show your appreciation for their hard work and recognize their contributions.

Flexible Work Schedule

Offer your employee of the month a flexible work schedule for the month. This can include working from home, starting or ending work at different times, or taking a longer lunch break. This can be a great way to show your appreciation and help them maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Personalized Desk Plaque

Create a personalized desk plaque for the employee of the month. This is a great way to showcase their achievement and show your appreciation for their hard work.

Movie Tickets

Give your employee of the month a pair of movie tickets to a new release. This is a fun way to treat them to a night out and show your appreciation for their hard work.

Professional Headshot

Hire a professional photographer to take a headshot of the employee of the month. This is a great way to showcase their achievement and give them a professional image to use on social media or their professional profile.

Experience Day

Give your employee of the month an experience day. This can include a hot air balloon ride, a spa day, or a cooking class. This is a unique way to show your appreciation and help them create a lasting memory.

Personalized Award

Create a personalized award for the employee of the month. This can include a trophy, plaque, or certificate that highlights their achievement and hard work.

Dinner with the Boss

Give your employee of the month the opportunity to have dinner with the boss or another executive in the company. This can be a great way to provide mentorship and foster a strong company culture.

Personalized Stationery

Create personalized stationery for the employee of the month. This can include a notepad, pen, or other office supplies with their name and a message of appreciation.

Company Logo

Clothing Give your employee of the month a piece of clothing with the company logo. This is a simple way to show your appreciation and also promote your company's brand.

Personalized Spotify Playlist

Create a personalized Spotify playlist for the employee of the month. This is a fun way to show your appreciation and give them something to listen to while they work.

Free Parking for a Month

Offer your employee of the month free parking for a month. This is a small gesture that can go a long way in making their daily routine a little easier.

Recognition Program

Implement an employee recognition program that awards points or badges for various achievements and milestones. This can include reaching goals, solving problems, and demonstrating company values. Employees can redeem their points for rewards, such as gift cards, experiences, or extra time off.

Peer Recognition

Implement a peer recognition program where employees can recognize and reward their peers' efforts and achievements. This can create a positive work environment, foster teamwork, and improve employee morale.

Mentorship Program

Pair the employee of the month with a mentor in the company. This can be a great way to provide guidance and support, and help them develop their skills and career.

Monthly Charity Donation

Make a monthly charity donation in honor of the employee of the month. This is a great way to give back to the community and show your appreciation for your employee's hard work.

Employee Appreciation Day

Organize an employee appreciation day for the employee of the month. This can include breakfast or lunch, games, and other activities that celebrate their achievement and hard work.

Employee of the Month Parking Spot

Give the employee of the month a designated parking spot for the month. This is a simple way to show your appreciation and make their daily routine a little easier.

Social Media Shout-Out

Give the employee of the month a social media shout-out on the company's social media pages. This is a great way to showcase their achievement and recognize their hard work in front of a larger audience.

Book Club

Start a book club with the employee of the month as the leader. This can be a great way to build camaraderie, foster learning, and demonstrate your company's values.

Lunch with the CEO

Give the employee of the month the opportunity to have lunch with the CEO or another high-level executive in the company. This can be a great way to provide mentorship and foster a strong company culture.

Paid Day Off

Give the employee of the month a paid day off to spend time with family or pursue their hobbies. This is a great way to show your appreciation and help them maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Wall of Fame

Create a wall of fame in the office where the employee of the month is featured. This is a great way to showcase their achievement and recognize their hard work in a public and visible way.

Monthly Newsletter Feature

Feature the employee of the month in the company's monthly newsletter. This is a great way to showcase their achievement and recognize their hard work in front of the entire company.

Personalized Tumbler

Create a personalized tumbler or mug for the employee of the month. This is a practical and thoughtful gift that they can use every day.

Employee Survey Feedback

Use the employee of the month award as an opportunity to gather feedback and insights from the employees. Ask them to nominate their peers and share their thoughts on what makes a deserving employee.

Team Member Spotlight

Create a team member spotlight program where each month, one employee from a different team is recognized and celebrated for their contributions. This is a great way to create a sense of camaraderie and appreciation between different teams.

Public Recognition Board

Set up a public recognition board in the office where employees can leave notes and messages of appreciation for their peers. This can be a great way to encourage teamwork and recognize the efforts of those who may not typically receive awards.

Peer Nominated Award

Implement a peer-nominated award program where employees nominate their peers for recognition. This can be a great way to ensure that deserving employees are recognized and to demonstrate the importance of teamwork and collaboration.

Reward Catalog

Create a reward catalog with a variety of rewards that employees can choose from. This can include things like gift cards, experiences, or even extra time off. This can be a great way to ensure that employees are rewarded in a way that is meaningful to them.

Employee Recognition Awards Ceremony

Host an employee recognition awards ceremony where employees are recognized for their contributions and achievements. This is a great way to make a big deal out of recognizing top-performing employees and making them feel appreciated.

Contribution Mapping

Create a contribution mapping system where employees can visually see the impact they are making on the company. This can be a great way to recognize employee contributions and show them how their work is making a difference.

Employee Awards Banquet

Host an employee awards banquet where top-performing employees are recognized and celebrated. This is a great way to show your appreciation for deserving employees and make them feel like they are an important part of the company.

Contribution-Based Awards

Create contribution-based awards that are tailored to specific departments or roles. This can be a great way to recognize employees who may not typically receive awards, and demonstrate the importance of their contributions.

Top Performer Awards

Create awards for top-performing employees in different categories, such as sales, customer service, or innovation. This can be a great way to recognize the specific talents and strengths of different employees.

Deserving Employee Award

Create an award for deserving employees who have not been recognized in the past. This can be a great way to ensure that everyone is recognized for their hard work and contributions.

Multiple Employee Awards

Create multiple employee of the month awards to recognize several deserving employees. This can be a great way to make sure that everyone who deserves recognition is recognized.

Customer Service Award

Create a customer service award for employees who go above and beyond to provide excellent customer service. This is a great way to recognize employees who may not typically receive awards and demonstrate the importance of customer service.

Team Member Award

Create a team member award to recognize employees who excel in teamwork and collaboration. This can be a great way to foster a strong team culture and recognize the importance of working together.

Recognizing employees is an important part of creating a positive work environment, boosting morale, and fostering a strong company culture. Incorporating these 30 unique employee of the month ideas can help recognize top-performing employees, understand their contributions, and motivate them to perform better. Remember to consider peer recognition, public recognition, and the contributions of all employees, not just top performers, when creating recognition programs. Additionally, understanding employee contributions, creating awards for multiple employees, and creating awards tailored to specific departments or roles are great ways to ensure that everyone who deserves recognition is recognized.

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