How to reward employees and teams who perform well

June 08, 2021

Consistent positive reinforcement and rewards for benchmark achievements can transform your company culture.

You know the contagious energy you feel when you are around an employee who is driven to succeed, or a team that is working together like a well-oiled machine? How do you reward that burning desire? Or, on the other hand, if you are observing the opposite, and need to light a fire for employees who are unmotivated, what can you do to inspire them? 

 

How to motivate employees

Rewarding employees in the right way may be your answer. Here are 10 ways to reward employees to increase their motivation and spark greater company success.

 

1. Make it casual

If your team has been burning the midnight oil or is approaching the home stretch on a project, consider offering a casual dress day.

 

2. Skip out for some summer sun

Watch weekday productivity soar when you offer half days once a month or give employees Fridays off during the summer. Make agreements as to what each employee must accomplish to earn the time off — and hold them to it.

 

3. Show some flexibility

When a work environment requires a certain number of hours on the clock, consider letting employees vary their schedules so they can do more of what they enjoy outside of work. Some people may prefer to work four 10-hour days or take a longer lunch hour.

 

4. Fuel them with free food

One sure way to surprise and delight employees is by providing unexpected treats — a bagel breakfast, cookies during a long meeting or a catered meal so they can meet a deadline.

 

5. Invest in workplace amenities

Have you been promising to buy picnic tables for the grassy lawn outside? Are employees clamoring for an onsite gym? Predetermine some operational goals, and when employees put in the work to reach them, deliver on one of those often-requested amenities. Not sure what will inspire the crew? Ask them!

 

6. Offer education and training

If your company’s training budgets have tightened and travel approvals are few and far between, you may want to look at industry events and educational opportunities as an award for top-performing employees.

 

7. Give them choices with reward cards

Recognize employees’ extra efforts with a rewards card, such as the U.S. Bank Rewards Card available online. Employees can use these prepaid cards, which come in various dollar amounts, in stores, online or over the phone for anything they’d like.

 

8. Promise preferred parking

If parking spots are at a premium, consider granting a preferred spot to a different engaged employee each week.

 

9. Trade places

Galvanize your staff by setting an attainable goal, and if the staff can reach it, agree to do a tedious task that everyone dreads. Maybe they take turns cleaning the bathroom or washing down a machine. Or, maybe they dislike running monthly reports or taking meeting notes. Roll up your sleeves, because soon it will be your turn.

 

10. Get social

Some employees find it refreshing to socialize with leaders and peers outside the office. If you can swing it, take the afternoon off to watch a ball game or go bowling. Or, make it a point to join the next happy hour or game night. Your presence will speak volumes.

 

Get information on how to develop an employee recognition program that can increase engagement, make employees feel appreciated and reduce turnover.

Learn about U.S. Bank

Related content

Allowance basics for parents and kids

30-day adulting challenge: Financial wellness tasks to complete in a month

High-yield bond issuance: 5 traits lawyers should look for in a service provider

Year-end financial checklist

Trends in economics, immigration and mobility policy

Putting home ownership within reach for a diverse workforce

Administrator accountability: 5 questions to evaluate outsourcing risks

Easier onboarding: What to look for in an administrator

3 tips to maintain flexibility in supply chain management

Insource or outsource? 10 considerations

4 questions you should ask about your custodian

Refining your search for an insurance custodian

Service provider due diligence and selection best practices

Webinar: CRE technology trends

Complying with changes in fund regulations

Business risk management for owners of small companies

Evaluating interest rate risk creating risk management strategy

Webinar: CSM corporation re-thinks AP

Webinar: AP automation for commercial real estate

Addressing financial uncertainty in international business

5 winning strategies for managing liquidity in volatile times

The surprising truth about corporate cards

The future of financial leadership: More strategy, fewer spreadsheets

Employee benefit plan management: trustee vs. custodian

Choosing your M&A escrow partner

Tapping into indirect compensation to recruit foreign talent

Why other lenders may be reaching out to your employees

High-cost housing and down payment options in relocation

Why retail merchandise returns will be a differentiator in 2022

Work flexibility crucial as municipalities return to office

Overcoming the 3 key challenges of a lump sum relocation program

Crypto + Relo: Mobility industry impacts

For today's relocating home buyers, time and money are everything

Webinar: CRE Digital Transformation – Balancing Digitization with cybersecurity risk

Empowering team members

10 tips on how to run a successful family business

Business tips and advice for Black entrepreneurs

Talent acquisition 101: Building a small business dream team

How to test new business ideas

The role of ethics in the hiring process

8 ways to increase employee engagement

The costs of hiring a new employee

How to reward employees and teams who perform well

How to hire employees: Employee referral vs. external hiring

Give a prepaid rewards card for employee recognition

Checklist: Increase lead generation with website optimization

Is your restaurant Google-friendly?

3 simple brand awareness tips for your business

How a small business owner is making the workplace work for women

5 principles for avoiding ethics pitfalls on social media

5 tips for helping employees raise ethics concerns

The growing importance of a strong corporate culture

7 uncommon recruiting strategies that you may not have tried yet

Business credit card 101

Meet your business credit card support team

How to apply for a business credit card

How jumbo loans can help home buyers and your builder business

Break free from cash flow management constraints

5 tips for managing your business cash flow

Improve online presence your business

How Shampoo’ed is transforming hair and inspiring entrepreneurs

The San Francisco bridal shop that’s been making memories for 30 years

How Al’s Breakfast is bringing people together

In a digital world, Liberty Puzzles embraces true connection

Celebrity Cake Studio’s two decades of growth and success

How a travel clothing retailer is staying true to its brand values

How to build a content team

Use this one simple email marketing tip to increase your reach

How (and why) to get your business supplier diversity certification

How I did it: Joined a board of directors

5 tips for being a great board member

Tips for navigating a medical hardship when you’re unable to work

Tips to overcome three common savings hurdles

5 tips to use your credit card wisely and steer clear of debt

Travel for less: Smart (not cheap) ways to spend less on your next trip

Real world advice: How parents are teaching their kids about money

How to stop living paycheck to paycheck post-pay increase

Practical money tips we've learned from our dads

6 ways to spring clean your finances and save money year-round

How to cut mindless spending: real tips from real people

How to increase your savings

5 tips to use your credit card wisely and steer clear of debt

Managing the impacts of appraisal gaps in a hot housing market

How to spot a credit repair scam

5 unique ways to take your credit card benefits further

Disclosures

Start of disclosure content

Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rate and program terms are subject to change without notice. Mortgage, Home Equity and Credit products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC.