25 Excellent Ways to Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day 2024

Boost morale and engagement with 25 employee appreciation day ideas. Recognize and encourage your team on their special day.

February 9, 2024
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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?
What is the earliest book you remember?
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?
If you could live in any state, which state would you pick?
Which fictional team is the best team of all time?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
What do you usually eat for a quick lunch?
What simple food will you never eat?
Show us the weirdest thing you have in the room with you right now.
Would you rather stay at a hotel or an AirBNB?
What is your favorite movie genre to watch?
Are you more productive in the morning or at night?
Who is someone in your community that makes a difference?
Who was your most unique pet?
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?
What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
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?
What is your New Years resolution?
You can only eat one food again for the rest of your life. What is it?
What is the best work holiday?
What is the first gift you remember receiving?
Would you rather join Metallica or Backstreet Boys?
What is the best example of a community you have seen?
What is an easy way to do something nice for someone?
Show us your phone background and tell the story behind why you picked this image.
What was your first job?
Pick any band to play at your funeral.
If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing for the rest of your life, what would you pick?
Which superpower would you give to your arch enemy?
What is the most obscure superpower you would want?
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?
What is your most used phone app?
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?
Beach holiday or ski trip?
Have you ever been to a funny comedy show?
Would you rather live at the North Pole or the South Pole?
What is your favorite song to sing?
If you could live in any state, which state would you pick?
Imagine you could teleport anywhere. Where would you go right now?
What is the most unusual job you have heard of?
What was the last thing you ate?
You can visit any fictional time or place. Which would you pick?
What do your family and friends think you do all day?
What movie do you wish you could watch again for the first time?
Show us your most-used emoji.
What was the most unique style or fashion trend you ever embraced?
What movie defined your generation?
You are stranded on a remote desert island. Are you alone or with your worst enemy?
What is your favorite knock-knock joke?
Have you ever told someone Santa is not real?
Do you know how to speak more than one language?
On a scale of 1 – 10, how much of a team player are you?
What is your #1 recommendation in this city?
What is your favorite holiday?
What bucket list item do you most want to check off in the next six months?
What is your favorite mythical creature?
What was the first way you made money?
If you could be great at any Olympic sport, which would it be?
Which song could you listen to over and over again?
When did you start liking/hating mushrooms?
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Do you take your PTO all at one time, or another way?
Which show do you remember most from your childhood?
Which beverage goes best with pizza?
Would you want to have a personal assistant follow you around everywhere and do what you asked of them?
Have you ever met your idol?
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?
What is your hobby?
When you are alone in the car, what volume is the music at?
Imagine you no longer have to work. How would you spend a Tuesday?
What is your favorite type of sandwich?

Celebrating Employee Appreciation Day is a special opportunity to recognize employees for their hard work and contributions to the company. Employee Appreciation Day falls on the first Friday in March each year. To celebrate this day, get employees engaged, and boost employee morale, we've put together 25 employee appreciation ideas that you can implement in your workplace.

  1. Implement an Employee Recognition Program

Implementing an employee recognition program is a great way to show your employees that you value their contributions to the company. Recognition takes on many forms, such as employee of the month awards or recognition for meeting a particular goal.

  1. Host a Celebration

Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day with a party or other special event for every team member. This is a great way to boost employee morale and show your team members that you value them.

  1. Give Personalized Gifts

Offer personalized gifts to your staff members to show your appreciation for their hard work. Company swag, such as custom water bottles or t-shirts, are fun ways to show your appreciation and promote company culture.

  1. Provide Break Room Treats

Provide treats or snacks in the break room to encourage employees to take a break and relax. A small gesture like this goes a long way in helping employees feel appreciated.

  1. Implement a Wellness Program

Implement a wellness program that includes opportunities for physical activity, such as yoga or meditation classes. This is great for promoting work-life balance and show that you value your employees' well-being.

  1. Create a Thank You Video

Create a thank you video featuring messages from the leadership team and other employees. This is a fun and creative way to show your appreciation for your employees. Use a video editing tool like Veed with an inbuilt video trimmer function. It allows you to edit and polish the video, transcribe video to text, and add special effects to make the message even more engaging.

  1. Offer Professional Development Opportunities

Offer professional development opportunities to encourage employees to continue learning and growing. Investing in your employees shows your appreciation for their hard work.

  1. Host a Volunteer Event

Organize a volunteer event where your employees can give back to the community. Show your employees that you value their contributions beyond the workplace.

  1. Offer Flexible Work Arrangements

Offer flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible hours, to promote work-life balance and show that you value your employees' well-being.

  1. Create a Recognition Program

Create a recognition program in the workplace where employees can recognize and appreciate their colleagues. Promoting teamwork creates a positive work environment.

  1. Provide Extra Time Off

Provide employees with extra time off, such as a half-day or a full day, to show your appreciation for their hard work and dedication.

  1. Host a Lunch or Happy Hour

Host a lunch or happy hour to show your appreciation for your employees and encourage team bonding.

  1. Give a Handwritten Note

Give your employees a handwritten note thanking them for their hard work and dedication. This gesture shows that you appreciate your employees and value their contributions.

  1. Implement an Employee Referral Program

Implement an employee referral program that rewards employees for referring new talent to the company. This will show that you appreciate your employees' efforts in growing the company.

  1. Host a Fun Activity Day

Host a fun activity day where your employees can participate in activities such as games, sports, or other leisure activities. Show your employees that you value their well-being and encourage work-life balance.

  1. Create a Mentorship Program

Create a mentorship program where your employees can learn from more experienced colleagues. This can be a great way to show your investment in your employees' growth and development.

  1. Create a Career Development Plan

Create a career development plan for each employee to help them achieve their professional goals. This will help employees feel valued and motivated to continue working for your company.

  1. Host a Learning and Development Day

Host a learning and development day where employees can participate in workshops or seminars to improve their skills and knowledge. This is a great way to show your employees that you are invested in their growth and development.

  1. Create a Culture Committee

Create a culture committee made up of employees from different departments to help plan and organize events that promote company culture and employee engagement.

  1. Offer a Health and Wellness Day

Offer a health and wellness day where employees can receive health screenings, participate in fitness classes, or receive massages. Show your employees that you value their well-being.

  1. Create a Buddy System

Create a buddy system where new employees are paired with experienced employees to help them acclimate to the company culture and job responsibilities.

  1. Implement an Employee Feedback Program

Implement an employee feedback program where employees can provide feedback on their work experience, management, and company policies. This let's your employees know that you value their opinions and are committed to creating a positive work environment.

  1. Host a Recognition Luncheon

Host a recognition luncheon where you can recognize and reward employees who have made significant contributions to the company. This shows your employees that you appreciate their hard work and dedication.

  1. Create a Mentorship Program

Create a mentorship program where your employees can learn from more experienced colleagues. This is a great way to show your investment in your employees' growth and development.

  1. Celebrate Achievements

Celebrate employee achievements, such as work anniversaries or hitting a sales goal, with a special recognition or gift. Great way to show your appreciation for your employees and encourage a culture of achievement in the workplace.

National Employee Appreciation Day is a special day to recognize and reward your employees for their hard work and contributions to the company. By implementing these employee appreciation day ideas, you can encourage employee engagement, promote work-life balance, and create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and appreciated. A happy and appreciated employee is more likely to be engaged, productive, and motivated to continue working for your company.

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.

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