Free Ways to Reward Employees

Casual clothing days offer a reward to employees.

Recognition and reward for achievements at the office motivate employees to continue putting forth effort and to increase productivity. Typically, companies lack a budget for sending employees on reward vacations, buying expensive tokens of appreciation or paying large bonuses. Simple methods of rewarding employees provide the motivating force without costing the company money.

Casual Dress

A break from the typical dress code offers a free reward for employees who perform well. The employee feels more comfortable and may increase his productivity with loosened clothing restrictions. Create "casual day" passes to hand out as a form of reward. When an employee or group of employees succeeds or puts forth reward-worthy effort, pass out the cards. Employees use the cards when they want to dress down for a day. Some restrictions may need to be in place if you have clients in the office. For example, if the company CEO travels across the country for an inspection, employees should hold off using casual cards.

Appreciation Notes

Recognition from a supervisor or a manager higher up on the ladder fosters the employee-manager relationship. A supervisor who takes the time to personally recognize and thank an employee shows that the staff member is valued and appreciated as more than just a money maker for the company. Hand-write a note that highlights specific accomplishments of the employee. For example, acknowledge the employee's 10 percent increase in sales that month or mention her successful completion of a major project.

Donated Rewards

Tangible rewards donated by suppliers or local businesses give you an option for giving an employee a physical reward without paying for it. Ask your suppliers for promotional items or gift cards to pass on to your employees. Some suppliers may run contests that reward you for using the company in the form of gift cards or other rewards. Instead of keeping those items yourself, pass them on to the employees. Local businesses may also donate small denominations of gift cards or other small items from the stores.

Prime Parking Spot

If you run an Employee of the Week or Employee of the Month program, give the recipient a parking perk in the form of an up front parking spot. Reserve one spot for the employee for the week or month he reigns as the top employee. You may also reserve him a prime spot in meetings or training sessions, particularly if trainings are limited and difficult to get into. This rewards him while encouraging him to expand his expertise.

References

• HR World; 25 Ways to Reward Employees (Without Spending a Dime); Dan Tynan
• "Entrepreneur" magazine; The Best Ways to Reward Employees; Paul Sarvadi