The employee of the month awards are an excellent way to promote a culture of excellence, but they can also be a perfect tool for increasing morale. They give employees a tangible, short-term goal, and depending on the employee of the month idea, they can win anything from team prizes to monetary bonuses. With that in mind, here are some of the best employee of the month ideas to try out.
1. A Custom Video or Book for the Winner
Making a custom video or book to honor the winner is a great way to recognize an excellent employee. This will make the winner feel special, not just because they won something, but because they were identified originally. This is also a great way to capture some of the best moments of the previous month and highlight them.
2. A Trip for Two to a Resort
If you want to take the employee of the month idea to the next level, a trip is a great way to do it. If you want to save money and create special memories, consider making the trip a staycation instead. You could get in touch with your local tourism board and see what kind of discounts or special deals they have. If you have enough employees with excellent customer service skills, you can always reward them with a weekend getaway.
3. A Custom Coin or Medal
A custom coin or medal is a great way to show that you appreciate an employee’s hard work. This is a lovely but special touch to the regular employee of the month award and makes it more fun. Employees often appreciate receiving a token of your appreciation, so consider making a unique one. The more time and money you put into making it, the better it will be. Get in touch with a local sculptor or jeweler for this special touch to your employee of the month award.
4. Schedule a Career Development Talk Based on Award Results
Employees who need help in certain areas will appreciate a career development talk designed especially for them. This is often one of the most overlooked benefits of an employee of the month program, but it can be one of the most appreciated. Even if the employee doesn’t need that help, they will still appreciate getting the personal touch. Award plaques or certificates, customized with the employee’s name, are an excellent way to honor employees of the month during the career talk.
5. Host a Monthly Celebration Lunch
A custom lunch experience is a beautiful way to recognize an excellent employee. This can also be a great way to create team unity and camaraderie. This is a nice change from the usual team gatherings, so it will be something that employees look forward to. Try to devise a different theme for each month, and you can make each lunch special.
6. Offer Extra PTO for Award Winners
Offering extra PTO is a good way to show your employees that you value the time they put into their work. It also shows that you want them to have time to relax or spend with their family and friends. There are several ways you can do this. You can offer them an entire day off with pay or give them a certain amount of paid time off.
7. Give Out a One Time Bonus
Giving out a one-time bonus is more than just a gesture. It’s an investment in your employees. You are letting them know that you are interested in investing in their futures and that you value their contributions. This should be a high amount; otherwise, it will have little impact. You can also offer a bonus based on specific sales goals or achievements.
8. Highlight Employees of the Month on the Company Website
To show that you value the contributions of these employees, consider highlighting them on your website. This is not something you would want to do for every single employee of the month, but it can be done for top performers. Again, this is a nice reward to the employee, but it also shows that you value them.
9. Host a Team Building Event That the Award Winner Chooses
A team-building event is a great way to get the whole team excited. It is also another opportunity to highlight the employee of the month and show that they are appreciated. If you want to save money, you can suggest different team-building activities from which your employees can choose.
Conclusion
This employee of the month idea can be great for motivating your staff and celebrating the best employees in your company. Remember to promote a culture of excellence and recognition of your employees that goes beyond their awards.