Summertime is a great opportunity to reward employees for their hard work throughout the year. There are many different ways to do this, and we will discuss some of the most popular methods in this blog post.
Why offer employee rewards in Summer?
It might be out of the norm to think of Summer as a time to reward employees – but that’s precisely why you should consider it! With other companies sticking to the same old Christmas traditions, you can stand out as a company that gives employee rewards based on merit throughout the year.
While the UK isn’t known for it’s sunshine so Summer can be hard to spot, offering some rewards during the window of June – September can make the long road to Christmas much more palatable for your teams.
Regular rewards matter.
Waiting until Christmas is never going to deliver the best morale boost for employees. In a survey, employees stated that they would prefer to receive smaller rewards more often, rather than one big annual reward. This is because it makes them feel appreciated all year round, not just at a specific time.
Work motivation fluctuates. In a survey, 58% of employees said that their motivation at work had decreased in the last 12 months. This is likely for a number of reasons, including the current global climate, so it’s more important than ever to show your employees that you appreciate them.
Consider also that the most popular time to start job hunting is January, so if you want to keep your best employees it’s important to make sure they feel valued all year round. Holding back on employee rewards might see you far too late in the process.
So, what are some of the best ways to reward employees in Summer?
There are loads of different types of employee rewards, but some work better in Summer than others.
One popular way to reward employees is with holiday days or extra time off. This can be a great way to let employees relax and enjoy their summer break with their families.
There are in office rewards. You might want to offer the reward of something fun for the team, such as a pizza lunch or an office party. This can be a great way to show your employees that you appreciate their hard work and want them to enjoy their summer break.
Consider some events, such as a day at the races or a team-building event. These can be great bonding experiences for employees, and they’ll be sure to appreciate the chance to let off some steam while the weather is nice.
Rewarding remote employees
Having said all this, we live in a new world!
A study from 2022 suggests that remote work will be the new normal for many of us (Source).
So, if you have employees working remotely, how can you reward them in Summer?
For many workplaces, it’s been a time to look at classic gifts.
A lovely bottle of wine or a hamper full of treats can go down well with employees, and it’s a great way to show your appreciation. Food and drink gifts are enjoyed by everyone – and with a range of options to suit gluten free and vegan, you can really tailor these gifts to your workforce.
Some clients get really creative, making a box of summer-themed items. This could include things like sunscreen, sunglasses, or even a beach ball alongside a gift card that they can use to buy something they want or need. This could be for a summer holiday, a new piece of tech or something they really want.
Reward employees the right way
If you want to safeguard your budget and ensure that when you reward employees, they have the impact you want them to – it’s important to tailor your employee rewards to your company culture and what your employees will actually enjoy. A simple way to get it right is to start with a survey!
Take a temperature check of your culture
Your survey could include questions such as
What type of reward would you prefer?
- Would you prefer an in office reward or an event?
- What’s your favourite summer activity?
- Would you prefer extra holiday days or a gift card?
This will give you a great starting point to work out the best way to reward employees in Summer and help you cost the rewards.
How to track the success of your Summer employee rewards
It’s all well and good if you would like to reward employees this Summer – but how do you track the success of employee rewards?
There are a few key metrics you can look at:
- Employee satisfaction: This can be tracked through regular surveys at the start of the warmer months and the end. You could include a question on the survey about whether employees feel appreciated. If you see a decrease in the number of employees who feel appreciated, it could be time to rethink your strategy.
- Employee engagement: This can be tracked through things like team morale, attendance, and productivity. If you see a dip in any of these areas, it could be an indication that your employee rewards are not having the desired effect.
- Retention: This is a key metric for any business, and employee rewards can play a part in this. If you see a high turnover of staff, it could be worth looking at your reward strategy to see if there are any improvements you can make.
By tracking these metrics, you can get a good idea of whether your employee rewards are having the desired effect. If not, you can make changes to your strategy to ensure that you are rewarding employees in the right way.
