30 Employee Appreciation Quotes That Will Have Employees Smiling at Their Desks

Enhance employee appreciation with these top quotes. Learn how recognition & a culture of gratitude can transform the workplace.

April 30, 2022
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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?
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Do prefer working from home or the office?
What is your earliest memory of this job?
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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?
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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?
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Show us the weirdest thing you have in the room with you right now.
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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?
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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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Show us your phone background and tell the story behind why you picked this image.
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Pick any band to play at your funeral.
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Which superpower would you give to your arch enemy?
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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?
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?
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If you could live in any state, which state would you pick?
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What movie defined your generation?
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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?
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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?
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Which show do you remember most from your childhood?
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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?
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Imagine you no longer have to work. How would you spend a Tuesday?
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Work is an important part of our lives. Since we spend so much time working, it should come with a sense of gratitude that improves the quality of life. 

Many employees go through their work life without knowing how much they’ve impacted their teams and offices. And this affects almost everything - their workplace attitudes, work output, productivity, and general outlook on life. 

According to a recent report by ApolloTechnical on employee recognition stats, 92% of workers are motivated to do more great work after receiving recognition for it. This means that employee appreciation goes a long way to ensure that team members feel valued and recognized.

When people invest their time and energy in a company and continually stay engaged, it is important to show appreciation and respect. Basically, it's important to say - We see you. Thank you.

It's also not enough for appreciation to be the sole responsibility of the management. It is essential to create a culture that encourages peer-to-peer recognition culture. This gives the employees an avenue to appreciate each other and give feedback

Companies can use a Recognition Flow to incorporate gratitude and feedback into their work culture and improve the overall employee experience. This allows everyone to feel valued by their peers, managers, and the organization.

Why Is Employee Appreciation So Important?

Employee retention is one of the biggest challenges businesses face. It's critical to your company's success to retain employees rather than to get new talent because people are your most important resource.

Appreciating employees allows them to feel seen and valued, resulting in improved performance, productivity, and increased retention rates. It also boosts employee morale and helps foster a union of employees while building a sense of security in their value to the company.

So, what does effective employee appreciation look like? 

When using a recognition flow you can set a template for how appreciation can be shown within the company and encourage consistent good work and dedication. You can have an Employee Appreciation Day with fun activities and offer incentives and rewards. 

There are various ways to appreciate your employees. One of which is through words of appreciation. Words of appreciation and recognition awards can go a long way, but they don't always come easy. We've put together 30 quotes in different categories to help you express your genuine appreciation to employees. 

Outstanding Performance

It takes a certain level of discipline to continuously strive for excellence or go over and beyond on tasks. When you have employees who do this so effortlessly, it's important to appreciate them. Here are top quotes to get you started: 

  1. Slow down; you make the rest of us look bad. But seriously, kudos to you for being so outstanding!
  2. You do more than show up; you show us how it should be done! Thank you.
  3. You've set the example of how talent combined with excellent work pays off. Thank you for showing everyone that with dedication, nothing is impossible.
  4. You accepted the challenge and overcame all the obstacles that came with it. Well done on your performance; it was truly inspiring seeing you put in the effort to get there.
  5. To have an employee who works hard is great. To have an employee that works smart is better. To have an employee that does both is the best. So, to one of the best, thank you.
  6. When we need something done with total commitment and dedication, yours is the first name we think of. We appreciate you for always going the extra mile and coming through.
  7. Your creative and innovative thinking has put you in a class of your own. No one else can compare!
  8. Despite the challenges, you persevered and maintained the tenacity to make the work go seamlessly. Congratulations on the job well done! 
  9. Watching you strive to improve has been inspiring for the entire team. Well done on reaching this milestone.
  10. Today, we honor outstanding employees. So, thank you for your exceptional work. It is admirable and appreciated.

Work Ethics

Some employees may not necessarily be the most hardworking and may not be bringing in the most funds. But, their enthusiasm, attitude to work, and values make them stand out. You can appreciate them with these quotes: 

  1. Your work ethic blows us all away. Thank you for keeping our morales high through the late nights, the early mornings, and the hours in between.
  2. Your creative and innovative thinking has put you on a level of your own. Keep moving forward; we love your work.
  3. You never do just an okay job when you can do a great one. Thank you for the time and effort you put into everything you do!
  4. Thank you for being such a breath of fresh air and encouragement to the team. We wouldn't have successfully finished the project without you!
  5. Each year brings new challenges to the company and the team. But the way you continue to meet these with grace and innovation is indeed extraordinary. Thank you for putting everything into making us great.
  6. Although your work speaks for itself, there is something we need to say. Your incredible work ethic has not gone unnoticed. Your commitment to every task is outstanding.
  7. We love seeing people take on new challenges, but no one takes them on the way you do. You're amazing!
  8. I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate your work. You put a lot of effort into what you do, which shows in your great results. Thank you so much for your dedicated performance!
  9. Successful companies' biggest assets are their employees. You are one of them. Thank you for your dedication and positive attitude to work.
  10. The enthusiasm you bring to the workplace is something that cannot be learned from any seminar room or meeting. Thank you for bringing life and color to our workplace.
  11. In recognition of your continued professionalism in everything, we would like to thank you. You have proven yourself to be a dedicated and upstanding member of this team. You're a fantastic addition to the team.

Collaboration

Although it takes a team to make the dream work, individuals make up the team and often play different vital roles. These quotes encourage people to put in their best, even in tasks that require collaboration. Here are some of our favorites: 

  1. There are no small parts, only small people. You always play your role graciously, even if it's in the background or backstage. Come center stage and take your well-deserved bow!
  2. Teamwork makes the dream work, and having you on our team makes work a dream come true!
  3. Your top-notch leadership and team spirit have propelled this company to move upward. You have motivated others within the team to put forward their best work, and you continue to inspire all who work with you.
  4. This is for the employee who thinks outside the box and provides no end of innovative ideas to the team and company. We want to recognize your exceptional work and let you know how proud we are of your accomplishments.
  5. You've earned the utmost trust, admiration, and respect of your colleagues. The team is genuinely motivated because of your honesty, sincerity, and commitment. Thank you!
  6. We recognize the overtime work you are putting in to solve the problems in the department. We know it has been challenging, and we assure you that it does not go unnoticed. Thank you for being so dedicated to the team.
  7. The perfect employee lifts others instead of pushing them down. Thank you for being a positive influence!
  8. Thank you for going above and beyond to help us achieve our goal. We wouldn't have made it without you!
  9. Your presence is the perfect motivation for your colleagues. You influence everyone to put passion into their work and achieve the target goals. Thank you!

Building a Culture of Appreciation

The best employees don't always want another paycheck; sometimes, they just need a pat on the back. There's no fast and hard rule on when and how to show appreciation or build an appreciation culture

There are occasions when it's essential to show your employees that you appreciate their hard work and the excellent ways they bring value to the business. Quotes make a perfect addition to those occasions, no matter how small or large. 

Whether it is a simple thank you card or an elaborate party, the most important thing is to let the employees know they are appreciated. 

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