20 Best Employee Of The Month Ideas (Award / Incentives / Prizes)

Recognizing the hard work and dedication of employees is an essential part of cultivating a positive and motivated work environment. One popular way to recognize outstanding employees is by implementing an “Employee of the Month” program.

This program not only shows appreciation for an individual’s efforts but also motivates others to strive for excellence, creating healthy competition across the entire company. If you’re looking for fresh and unique ideas to make your employee of the month program stand out, look no further! 

Why You Should Celebrate Employee of the Month

There are several reasons why celebrating the Employee of the Month is important and beneficial for both the individual and the organization. We’ve listed some of the key reasons why employee recognition is important, ensuring that your Employee of the Month award embodies your company values.

• Recognition and Appreciation
  Celebrating the Employee of the Month shows appreciation for the employee’s hard work, dedication, and achievements. It acknowledges their contributions and lets them know that their efforts are valued and recognized.
• Boost Employee Morale
  Being recognized as the Employee of the Month can boost motivation and morale not only for the awarded employee but also for the entire team. It creates a sense of pride, encourages others to work harder, and fosters a positive and competitive work environment. High levels of employee morale then creates a snowball effect of hard-working, happy and motivated employees.
• Increased Engagement and Productivity
  An employee recognition program can lead to increased employee engagement and productivity. When employees feel appreciated, they tend to be more invested in their work, go the extra mile, and strive for excellence.
• Retention and Employee Loyalty
  Recognizing top-performing employees helps to improve retention rates and company loyalty. When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to stay with the organization and feel a sense of loyalty and commitment to working there. An awards program helps to motivate workers and leads to satisfied employees, creating a positive work environment for everyone.
• Improved Employee-Manager Relationships
  Recognizing an employee’s achievements can strengthen the bond between the employee and their manager. Incentive programs such as Employee of the Month show that the manager wants to highlight employees who go the extra mile in the workplace, honoring outstanding contributions and therefore building a strong rapport between manager and employee.
• Positive Company Culture
  Celebrating the employee of the month promotes a positive company culture that recognizes and rewards star employees. Employee recognition programs set a precedent that hard work and dedication are valued and encouraged within the organization.
• Enhanced Team Dynamics
  Celebrating the Employee of the Month is not only beneficial for the team member who works the hardest. Employee recognition awards can improve team dynamics by fostering a sense of camaraderie and healthy competition amongst all employees, including remote employees. It encourages collaboration, support, and admiration within the team.
• Personal and Professional Development
  Recognizing an employee’s achievements can help boost their confidence and self-esteem. Whilst Employee of the Month awards can encourage all employees to perform at their best, it can especially encourage the winning employee to continue growing and developing their skills, leading to personal and professional growth.
• Increased Customer Satisfaction
  In a customer-facing business, recognizing outstanding employees, either through an Employee of the Month or a Customer Service Award, can have a positive impact on customer satisfaction. Employees who feel appreciated and recognized are more likely to provide exceptional customer service, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Reputation and Employer Branding
  Celebrating the employee of the month showcases the organization’s commitment to recognizing and appreciating its employees. It can enhance the company’s reputation as an employer of choice and attract top talent.
  By celebrating the employee of the month, organizations can create a positive and motivating work environment, improve employee engagement and productivity, and cultivate a strong company culture that values recognition and appreciation.

How to Choose the Employee of the Month

Using our Employee of the Month ideas as part of a monthly awards program is an excellent way to celebrate your employees and their achievements.

But how do you choose the team member or the most deserving employees for that month?

1. Define the Criteria
   Clearly establish the criteria that will be considered as part of the Employee Recognition Program. This can include factors like performance, productivity, innovations, teamwork, customer satisfaction, or any other measurable or subjective metrics that are relevant to your organization, such as achieving a certain number of sales within the month. You may also choose to award several deserving employees, as opposed to only one employee.
2. Set Clear Expectations
   Communicate the criteria and expectations to all employees, including virtual employees, so that they are aware of what is required to be considered for the Employee of the Month award. This will ensure a fair and transparent selection process.
3. Evaluate Performance
   Regularly track and evaluate employee performance based on the predefined criteria. This can be done through performance reviews, feedback from supervisors, customer feedback, or any other performance measurement tools specific to your organization. This will help you to decide on the most exemplary employees.
4. Consider Peer Nominations
   Encourage employees to nominate their colleagues for the Employee of the Month award. Peer nominations can provide valuable insights into the contributions and impact of individuals within the organization.
5. Seek Input From Supervisors
   Depending on your role within the company, consult with supervisors or managers who directly work with the employees to gather additional feedback on their performance. This includes assessing the employee’s attitude, work ethic, and any exceptional achievements or contributions they have made.
6. Review Attendance and Punctuality
   Include attendance and punctuality records in the evaluation process. Being consistently punctual and having good attendance reflects reliability and dedication towards work.
7. Consider Team Spirit and Collaboration
   Evaluate how well an employee works with others, their ability to support and collaborate with team members, and their willingness to go above and beyond to help others succeed.
8. Assess Initiative and Innovation
   Recognize employees who take the initiative to suggest improvements, implement innovative ideas, or find more efficient solutions to problems. Consider the impact of their suggestions or projects on the overall performance of the organization.
9. Evaluate Customer Satisfaction
   Take into account customer feedback and satisfaction ratings if applicable to your organization. Employees who consistently provide exceptional customer service and receive positive feedback should be recognized with a Customer Service Award.
10. Remain Fair and Consistent
    Ensure that the selection process is fair, consistent, and unbiased. Avoid favoritism or personal biases that may influence the decision. Maintain a standardized process that ensures all employees are evaluated fairly.
11. Continuously Review and Refine the Process
    Regularly review and refine the employee of the month selection process based on feedback from employees and supervisors. This will help ensure the process remains effective and aligned with organizational goals and values.

20 of the Best Employee of the Month Ideas

Whether you want to celebrate employees for their continued punctuality, or maybe they’ve made a real improvement in the number of sales they’ve made that month, there are many reasons to award deserving employees.

We’ve listed 20 creative Employee of the Month Ideas to help you show your true appreciation for your star employees, ensuring that the reward feels meaningful.

1. Rotating Trophy: Instead of a traditional plaque or certificate, introduce a rotating trophy that gets passed from employee to employee each month. It adds an element of excitement and builds anticipation.
2. Personalized Parking Spot: Dedicate a parking spot close to the entrance exclusively for the top-performing employees. Offer the convenience of prime parking as a reward.
3. Lunch with the CEO: Arrange a special lunch where the employee of the month gets the opportunity to dine with the company’s CEO or another high-ranking executive. It can be a great networking opportunity and a chance to get to know company leaders.
4. Extra Vacation Day: Grant the employee of the month an additional day off or provide them with some additional paid time off (PTO) as a token of appreciation for their hard work.
5. Office Makeover: As part of your Employee Recognition Awards, allow the employee of the month to revamp their office space. This could involve new furniture, decorations, or even a fresh coat of paint.
6. Professional Development Sponsorship: Show your commitment to employee growth by providing the winner with a sponsorship to attend a conference, workshop, or training program related to their field of interest.
7. Public Recognition Wall: Create a dedicated wall in a common area where a photo and short bio of each employee of the month can be displayed. It not only recognizes individual achievements but also encourages healthy competition. If your company is customer-facing, such as a store or restaurant, then you can display this for customers to see, too.
8. Surprise Breakfast or Snacks: Treat the employee of the month and their team to a surprise breakfast or provide a selection of their favorite snacks throughout the month as a gesture of appreciation.
9. Fitness or Wellness Membership: Offer a gym membership or cover the cost of a wellness program for the employee of the month, promoting a healthy work-life balance.
10. Team Donation: Let the employee of the month choose a charitable organization, and make a company donation on their behalf. It fosters a sense of social responsibility and community engagement, and helps to align with company values.
11. VIP Seating: Reserve priority seating for the winning team member at company meetings, events, or conferences to make them feel truly valued for their contributions.
12. Employee Spotlight Newsletter: A great way of showing employee appreciation is by highlighting star employees. Dedicate a section of your company newsletter to highlight the achievements and success of each Employee of the Month, showcasing their talent and efforts to the entire organization.
13. Professional Photoshoot: Arrange a professional photoshoot for the employee of the month, capturing their achievements, which can then be displayed throughout the office, on the company website, or even on social media.
14. Gift Cards: Present the successful employee with a selection of gift cards tailored to their preferences, such as for a favorite restaurant, spa, or online shopping site.
15. Mentorship Opportunities: Connect your chosen exceptional employee with a seasoned professional or executive within the company for mentorship and guidance to foster further professional growth.
16. Upgraded Technology or Equipment: Show employee appreciation by investing in new gadgets or upgraded equipment for the Employee of the Month, helping them improve their productivity and efficiency.
17. In-office Celebration: Throw a surprise celebration in the office, complete with balloons, decorations, and cake, honoring the employee of the month and their achievements.
18. Experiences: Offer an exciting experience like hot air balloon rides, helicopter tours, or outdoor activities as a memorable Employee of the Month award for going above and beyond.
19. Company Swag: Provide the employee of the month with a customized company swag bag filled with branded items such as t-shirts, mugs, pens, and more.
20. Flexibility and Autonomy: Grant the employee of the month more flexibility in their work schedule or the ability to take on special projects of their choice, allowing them to demonstrate their skills and interests.

Improve Company Culture and Show Your Appreciation with Our Employee of the Month Award Ideas

Implementing an employee of the month program and selecting creative rewards not only shows appreciation but also boosts morale and motivation among the entire team.

Remember, every employee is unique, so tailor the recognition to their preferences and foster a positive and supportive work culture that celebrates achievements and encourages personal growth. Announce Employee of the Month and watch this award boost morale in the entire company!

Eleanor Griffiths

Eleanor is a qualified English teacher and has received a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), specializing in Secondary English, and holds a BA (Hons) in English Literature from Liverpool John Moores University. She is certified to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL) and has worked with students in the U.K. and South East Asia. She currently works as an English teacher in Vietnam, teaching students across a range of ages.

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