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

41 unique Employee of the Month ideas to boost workplace morale, foster a positive work environment and recognize top performers.

February 16, 2023
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How would you describe your job to a five year old?
What season would you be?
What is a weird food you have tried? Would you eat it again?
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Would you go in the mother-ship with aliens if they landed on Earth tomorrow?
What is your favorite season?
Do prefer working from home or the office?
What is your earliest memory of this job?
What is the best thing you have bought so far this year?
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If you had to move to another country, which one would you choose?
You are the best criminal mastermind in the world. What crime would you commit if you knew you would get away with it?
What is your favorite movie genre to watch?
What was the last thing you ate?
What person from history would you add to Mount Rushmore?
What is a weird fact you know?
What is your favorite part of working from home?
Were the Spice Girls a good team?
Imagine you can instantly learn any language. Which would you choose?
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Which fictional team is the best team of all time?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
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Show us the weirdest thing you have in the room with you right now.
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Who is someone in your community that makes a difference?
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Choose one famous person from history you want on your team during a zombie apocalypse.
What is a good way to give back to the community?
Which song could you listen to over and over again?
Is Hugh Grant funny?
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Would you want to have an imaginary friend today? Did you have one as a child?
What actor or actress would you want to play you in the movie about your life?
What is the best super power?
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You can only eat one food again for the rest of your life. What is it?
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Would you rather join Metallica or Backstreet Boys?
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Pick any band to play at your funeral.
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What emoji best describes how you are feeling right now?
If you could live in any country, which country would you pick?
Would you rather live in a city or a town?
What is your favorite holiday?
What is something you accomplished as part of a team?
What is your standard office lunch?
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What is your favorite season?
Have you ever won something as a team?
Imagine you are a professional baseball player. What is your introduction song?
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Would you rather live at the North Pole or the South Pole?
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Do you know how to speak more than one language?
On a scale of 1 – 10, how much of a team player are you?
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What bucket list item do you most want to check off in the next six months?
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If you could be great at any Olympic sport, which would it be?
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What did you want to be when you grew up?
Would you rather live 100 years in the past or 100 years in the future?
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Imagine you no longer have to work. How would you spend a Tuesday?
What is your favorite type of sandwich?

Employee recognition and rewards are essential for a company's success. Recognizing and rewarding employees' efforts, hard work, and achievements motivates 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, recognize employee contributions, and motivate employees.

Employee of the Month Ideas

1. 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, and customer service awards. Involve the entire team, including remote employees, in the ceremony through video conferencing.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 is a great way to help them maintain a healthy work-life balance while showing them appreciation.

5. Personalized Desk Plaque

Create a personalized desk plaque for the employee of the month. Showcase their achievement and show your appreciation for their hard work.

6. Movie Tickets

Give your employee of the month a pair of movie tickets to a new release. A fun way to treat them to a night out for their dedication.

7. Professional Headshot

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

8. 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.

9. Personalized Award

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

10. 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 is a great way to provide mentorship and foster a strong company culture.

11. 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.

12. Company Logo

Give your employee of the month company merch. This is a simple way to show your appreciation and promote the company's brand.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. Peer Recognition

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

17. Mentorship Program

Pair the employee of the month with a mentor in the company. This provides guidance and support, and encourages them to develop their skills and career.

18. 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.

19. 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 efforts.

20. 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.

21. Social Media Shout-Out

Give the employee of the month a social media shout-out on the company's social media pages. Showcase their achievement and recognize their hard work in front of a larger audience.

22. Book Club

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

23. 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 is a great way to provide mentorship and foster a strong company culture.

24. Paid Day Off

Give the employee of the month a paid day off to spend time with family or pursue their hobbies. Show your appreciation by helping them maintain a healthy work-life balance.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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 encourages teamwork and recognizes the efforts of those who may not typically receive awards.

31. Peer Nominated Award

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

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. Contribution Mapping

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

35. Employee Awards Banquet

Host an employee awards banquet where top-performing employees are recognized and celebrated. Show your appreciation for deserving employees and make them feel like they are an important part of the company.

36. Contribution-Based Awards

Create contribution-based awards that are tailored to specific departments or roles. Recognize employees who may not typically receive awards, and demonstrate the importance of their contributions.

37. 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.

38. Deserving Employee Award

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

39. 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.

40. 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.

41. 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 41 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. Understanding employee contributions, creating awards for multiple employees, and creating awards tailored to specific departments or roles ensures that everyone who deserves recognition is recognized.

Browse our Free Employee Recognition Guide

Get the foundational knowledge on creating an employee recognition program that boosts employee engagement and helps them feel valued.

Explore Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Assembly SOC 2 compliant?

Yes, at Assembly, security is a top priority. Each quarter, we have ongoing security work that is everyone’s responsibility. While we maintain a strong security posture, it was important for us to prove to our customers that we do everything we claim to do. This led us to pursue a SOC 2 Type II report that would provide evidence of our compliance with industry gold-standard security practice.

What's the ROI for employee recognition?

There is study after study showing that employee recognition leads to increased engagement. This in return creates an environment where employees are happier and more motivated which increase productivity and reduces voluntary turnover significantly. In order to filled critical roles, companies tend to spend nearly twice the value of an annual salary. Assembly is an investment in your employees that supports your bottom line.

Does Assembly offer longer-term contracts?

Yes, we will offer contracts for companies with longer-term agreements to help larger customers have more certainty around future costs.

The minimum agreement term is a 12-month subscription.

Does Assembly offer onboarding support?

We do and for FREE! Any new customer needing further support to get started with Assembly to ensure you're set up for success can request custom onboarding support. Improving your employee experience is about much more than just using our amazing software; it’s about transforming your business to create a workplace that people love. That’s much easier to do with the personal support and advice from our passionate people experts.

Is there a free version of Assembly?

Yes. We offer a completely free plan for up to 50 team members. This plan is intended for teams or organizations that are looking to get started with an employee engagement tool. Keep in mind, this plan is limited in features.

All customers can open an Assembly account for free and get started without a credit card. Then you can change plans as necessary.

How much do rewards cost?

At the time of redemption (when your employees exchange their points for a paid reward) you'll pay face value. If a reward is a $10 Amazon gift card, your cost will be $10. All paid rewards are billed for on a monthly basis.

The good news is that you don't have to pay for rewards upfront because we only charge you when points are redeemed, not when they're earned.

Does Assembly offer discounts?

We offer discounts or educational or charitable organizations. In order to secure a discount, you'll first need to book a demo with a customer support specialist.

For all other organizations, we are willing to consider longer-term agreements in exchange for discounts. To set up annual plans or longer, you will need to book a demo with a customer support specialist.

How do I cancel my plan if needed?

If you're on a month to month plan, you can go here and cancel anytime. If you're having concerns or need help setting up your account for success, you can always book a demo with a customer support specialist.

If you're on a longer-term custom plan, you'll need to reach out to your customer support specialist to cancel your account or email us at support@joinassembly.com.

What customizations are available?

Great question! You can customize your core values to match your organization's to boost and track alignment. You can change your currency from the 🏆 emoji (our default) to any emoji of your choice. You can swap our logo for your own. You can also set up company culture rewards such as, "Lunch with the CEO," "Buy a book on us," and so much more!

Who can give or receive recognition?

While we recommend a peer to peer set up where anyone in your organization can give or receive recognition, you can set up Assembly however you want. If you need to limit the people who can give or receive recognition, that's perfectly fine and can be done from your Admin, here.

What integrations are available?

Assembly connects to the tools your employees use every day to offer an easy, seamless experience with minimal change management.  

Assembly has integrations with HCM/HRIS systems like ADP, Google, Office 365, and Slack. We also integrate with communication tools like Slack and Teams so you and your employees can access Assembly wherever they work now.

What's your average adoption rate?

That depends on the company's permissions set up. That said, over 90% of the employees on Assembly's platform are recognized on a monthly basis. That means nearly every employee across all of our customers are receiving regular recognition from their peers, managers, or leadership. We're extremely proud of this.

Must rewards be set up to use Assembly?

They are not required. You can use Assembly without having rewards set up. However, we don't recommend it if you intend to have a high adoption and usage rate. You can always keep the costs down by offering internal culture rewards that are fulfilled by you internally.

Are points required to use Assembly?

No, you can remove allowances from anyone or everyone. It's up to you but we do recommend using points whether they're worth a real dollar value or not. Companies that use points have a much higher engagement rate even if those points don't exchange for real dollars.

Could find the answer you are looking for?

Please schedule time with an expert and we will help you to get all your questions answered