Recognising and rewarding employees in 2021

With the advent of the COVID-19 global pandemic, so much in the way of working has changed. The ‘new normal’ has affected organisations all over the country, a huge number of industries and people from all walks of life. Almost overnight, thousands of companies have had to adjust to remote working. We’ve converted dining rooms into home offices and living rooms into classrooms, all whilst trying to stay on top of work and our personal lives. Add to the mix being isolated from loved ones and it’s safe to say that this year has been a challenge for many.

When it comes to the workplace, meaningful recognition has never been more important, but unfortunately, it’s also never been as difficult. With the work get-togethers, friendly chats by the coffee machine and shout outs in team meetings a thing of the past, employees could very well feel underappreciated and isolated.

Reward employees with experiences from Red Letter Days

But not all is lost! It’s not too late to get a great employee recognition programme in place to shine the light on their success. In fact, now is the perfect time! Celebrate the wins and reward your staff with the Lifestyle Voucher and they can enjoy amazing experiences from Red Letter Days. Not only are they a fantastic way to inspire and reward your employees for their hard work and loyalty, but experience gifts are also more memorable, personal and shareable than monetary rewards. And with over 5,000 exciting experiences to choose from, including adventures, short breaks, spa days and more, there’s something for every member of the team! Interested? Here’s why we think experiential rewards are the best way forward for employee recognition in 2021.

Reimagined employee well-being and productivity

Employee recognition assures your staff that their contributions to the organisation are not going unnoticed. And it comes with a wealth of benefits, such as boosting morale, which in turn increases employee engagement and productivity. Rewarding your staff with experiences means they can go on their perfect spa day, that once-in-a-lifetime skydive or a relaxing sunny getaway. They’re sure to return to work refreshed, invigorated and ready to crack on with the job at hand!

Something to look forward to

We’ve all been couped up for far too long! The past year has been filled with cancelled events, refunded holidays and abandoned adventures. So, what could be a better reward than amazing experiences to look forward to after lockdown? From cosy short breaks in the UK and delicious dining out to breathtaking adventures and thrilling activities, they can book up their diary with experiences to enjoy when the time is right. Let them live out their dreams and make up for lost time.

Experiences can be shared with loved ones

Let’s face it, we’ve all had enough of socialising over Zoom. Shared experiences have several positive influences on our emotional well-being and connectedness.i Unfortunately, connecting virtually doesn’t allow for us to deepen social connections in the same way shared experiences do. So, once it’s safe to do so, let’s get out in the world and experience life again with our loved ones! Gift your employees experiences and they can share the moment with friends and family. Whether they book an afternoon tea to enjoy with their mum, a romantic short break with a partner or a fun brunch with a friend, they’ll appreciate spending quality time with loved ones after more than a year of separation.

Extraordinary memories to look back on

Shopping for material items gives a temporary boost but tends to leave us wanting more. And it’s safe to say that most of your employees have probably had their fair share of online shopping this year. Experiences create memories to last a lifetime and it’s the memories that matter most. Gift your employees experiences that they can look back on with fondness and these memories will be tied back to you. Whether they book a city break in Manchester, an award-winning dinner in London or an action-packed driving blast, they’ll think back to it and remember your company that made it happen!

Zoe Hegan

redletterdays.co.uk