7 Employee Appreciation Ideas for Large Companies

If no one else is going to say it, we will: you’re a great people leader. Why else would you be looking to recognize your enormous team? But we get that it can be hard at scale, which is exactly why you want employee appreciation ideas for large companies.

We’ve said it a million times, Employee appreciation and recognition are crucial steps to improving company culture. They offer plenty of benefits for large companies, but can get complex as headcount grows. That’s where our experts come in, and we’ve got your brand covered with recognition ideas that work at scale:

Why Employee Appreciation is Difficult at Scale

Employee appreciation and recognition to be daunting for large companies. If they have over a certain number of employees, it may seem nearly impossible to fit employee appreciation into the company puzzle. Here are some reasons why employee appreciation may seem difficult at scale: 

• Personalization: Companies may find employee appreciation difficult because they may find it hard to personalize recognition for each employee. Personalizing appreciation can also seem complicated when every employee has different interests and contributes uniquely to the company. 
• Consistency: Many companies may wonder how to stay consistent with employee appreciation, especially as the number of employees grows. Companies may also find that what may work for one department may not work for another. 
• Funds/Resource Allocation: Another hurdle companies may face in employee appreciation is finding money and resources. Besides budget needs, companies may also need a workforce to make the appreciation ideas happen. 
• Cultural Alignment: Companies with a strong company culture want to be sure that whatever they choose for employee appreciation aligns with cultural values. This can be difficult for large companies because appreciation efforts require consistent effort and communication, which can start to dwindle over time (and affect the company’s efforts for the culture of appreciation).  

7 Employee Appreciation Ideas for Large Companies

Here are our favorite appreciation ideas just for large companies. Some are classic, a few are unique, and on is near and dear to our heart, but all are perfect for any enterprise:

1. Employee Wellness Programs

Incentivizing employees through wellness programs is a beautiful way to give back and say “thank you” for all their contributions.

The Workplace Wellness Institute describes workplace wellness as any activity that promotes healthy behavior. These could include wellness fairs, free medical screenings, stress management, health coaching, and more.

Team wellness is essential for all employees and is beneficial for the company as a whole. Supporting and investing in employees’ mental health helps make employees happier and improves the overall employee experience (which makes for more productive employees). Encouraging employee wellness is a win-win for everyone. 

2. Employee Appreciation Days/Events

Another quality employee appreciation ideas for large companies is to celebrating Employee Appreciation Day, or having employee appreciation events.

Companies can celebrate Employee Appreciation Day in many ways, whether through an formal event, fun celebration, or appreciation gift. As long as companies try to honor and thank their employees, their efforts will be seen and appreciated by employees. (psst: celebrate National Employee Appreciation Day on the first Friday of every March)

Larger companies may find that employee appreciation events are easier to manage. For example, hosting a company-wide picnic, renting out a local amusement park for the employees’ families, or getting similar setups are an easy way for companies to say thank you to their employees as a whole instead of individually.  

3. Flexible Work Arrangements 

Larger companies can also thank their employees by offering flexible work arrangements. Flexibility is helpful and supports the employees’ work/life balance.

A flexible work arrangement is also feasible for larger companies because it doesn’t require money or time spent on training or gifts.

Additionally, there are many benefits to a hybrid or flexible work arrangement, such as less stress on the employee (especially if they have a longer commute) and more productivity due to the lack of commute. 

Read More: How To Build A Hybrid Work Schedule

4. Recognition Software 

Companies that have a large number of employees may find an employee recognition software platform beneficial. Recognition software is great because the platform can easily simplify and elevate the acts of employee appreciation.

For example, Kudoboard specifically provides an outlet for thank you’s, shout-outs, birthdays, work anniversary recognition, and more. Companies can create a positive and inclusive workplace culture at scale by making appreciation authentic and fun.

It also comes with enterprise-ready features built to streamline use. The enterprise plan is perfect for large companies because automations, integrations with Slack and MS Teams, bulk action features, analytics, and more. 

5. Personalized Company Swag 

Gifting company swag is a classic appreciation idea for a reason. Large companies can also use company swag as a way to show appreciation and say thank you to employees. Company swag is fun because it serves as walking advertisements for the company and can also build a sense of belonging among employees.

Companies that give employees swag items encourage a sense of community, help employees feel loyal to the company, and can help them feel like they’re part of something larger. Corporate gifts like swag can also contribute to employee retention by helping them feel valued.

Overall, swag items serve as a tangible expression of gratitude. Just be sure to try to get unique swag items that employees care about (mugs are SO overdone). 

6. Team Building Events

Encouraging management and team leads to foster team building through corporate events is an excellent way for larger companies to have a hands-off approach to employee appreciation. Putting the appreciation efforts in the hands of the management and team leads fosters an environment of inclusivity and teamwork and creates a work environment where everyone is appreciated.

Companies can ensure success in team-building events by setting aside a budget for management, and team leads so they don’t feel pressured to buy anything themselves or force employees to buy anything. Team building events can happen once a month, once a quarter, or even twice a year.  

7. Celebrate Work Anniversaries 

What better way to thank employees for their hard work than by celebrating their years at a company? Work anniversaries are essential and beneficial, not only for the employee but for the company as well.

Work anniversaries can measure employee retention, as employees who stay will likely remain due to job satisfaction and an overall positive employee experience. Celebrating work anniversaries also increases employee engagement because it demonstrates that the company values its employees.

When you celebrate work anniversaries, you’re creating a sense of belonging and engagement—which leads to higher morale and productivity. Large companies can celebrate work anniversaries through company-wide newsletters, work anniversary group cards signed by the team, department-specific events like lunches, or flexible work arrangements for the day or week that aligns with the work anniversaries.

How to Choose the Right Employee Appreciation Idea for Your Large Company

Choosing the right employee appreciation idea may seem like a big task, especially for large companies. There are several factors to include when deciding what will align with company values, budget, and other considerations. Here are a few helpful tips to get you started: 

Gather Employee Preferences

HR can begin finding the right employee appreciation ideas for large companies by gathering employee preferences. The easiest way to gather information for large companies would be through a company-wide survey or focus group. To conduct a successful company-wide survey or focus group, companies can do the following: 

• Define Objectives: Clearly outline the survey’s/focus group’s goals. 
• Select Methodology: Which type of survey will you be using? Will it be effective for the data you’re trying to gather?
• Communicate Clearly: Let the employees know what the survey means and what the company will do with the answers. 
• Follow Up: Take action on the feedback. Taking action may include sharing results with the company.  

Consider Company Values and Culture

When thinking about employee recognition, it is essential to consider the company’s values and culture. Whatever your company’s value/culture is, ask yourself if the recognition approach will reinforce the values, behaviors, and norms that make the organization what it is. Aligning recognition/appreciation approaches with the company culture is also crucial for a few reasons: 

• Consistency: When appreciation is consistent with company culture, it feels natural and genuine. The appreciation also feels more authentic and will resonate with employees more. 
•  Sense of Belonging: Companies who align their recognition approach with company culture also have employees who think they belong. The employees don’t feel recognized for their work but for their contributions to the company. 
• Cultural Cohesion: Aligning appreciation with company culture helps to create a more cohesive work environment. Employees and leadership in the company feel they are on the same page and working toward common goals. 

Assess Budget and Resources 

When deciding on a budget, companies can choose between a fixed or flexible budget. A fixed budget is one set aside specifically for employee appreciation. A flexible budget depends on the company’s financial health, and companies can allocate a percentage to employee appreciation, with flexibility if needed. To decide a starting amount, companies can practice benchmarking to research industry standards and see what other similarly sized companies are spending. 

Evaluate Effectiveness Of Past Initiatives

If the company has already utilized some employee appreciation approach, it can use that information to see what worked and what didn’t. Companies can also get employee feedback on past initiatives to see what they liked. 

Train/Include Managers and Leadership

Recognition will likely come from managers and team leads (and from peers to encourage peer-to-peer recognition). Companies need to train their leadership in the program to ensure a successful initiative. Here’s how companies can train their leadership: 

• Educate on the importance of employee recognition 
• Remind Leadership About Company Values/Culture
• Provide Tools and Resources 
• Train in Effective Communication 
• Incorporate Recognition In Performance Reviews
• Provide Ongoing Support 

Measure Impact and Effectiveness 

Once a company starts an employee recognition/appreciation initiative, the company can begin to measure and track data. If using employee appreciation software, like Kudoboard, companies can track recognition and engagement metrics. Otherwise, companies can gather employee feedback through another survey to follow up on the initiative. 

Consider A Company-Wide Platform 

For large companies, it may be more feasible and more accessible to consider a company-wide platform. Kudoboard is an employee recognition software that allows employees, managers, and other leadership to create a unique boards for appreciation, recognition, celebration, and more.

Kudoboard is all about building a solid company culture and engaging everyone in recognition. With high-value features, the platform tracks essential data like employee happiness and connection, productivity and engagement, employee retention rates, and cost.

Additionally, the Enterprise plan has a dedicated customer success manager to answer questions, provide inspiration, and more. They’ll also offer check-ins and provide support as needed. 

Implementing Employee Appreciation Ideas for Large Companies

Fostering a culture of employee appreciation is essential, regardless of the company size. While large companies may find it harder to incorporate employee appreciation, when they do include it, they can expect to see a more motivated, engaged, and productive workforce.

When companies implement thoughtful appreciation initiatives, they show they value their employees’ contributions. Not only does employee appreciation help the employees, but it also benefits the company as a whole. Ultimately, by prioritizing employee appreciation, large companies can cultivate a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to perform at their best, which drives the organization’s success.

FAQ’s on Employee Appreciation Ideas for Large Companies

Why Should Large Companies Focus On Employee Appreciation?

Employee appreciation has many benefits for companies of all sizes. When companies show gratitude for their employees’ hard work and efforts, it is proven to reduce turnover, reduce burnout, and increase engagement. According to a recent survey, a combined 61% of the workforce don’t feel as if they are appreciated. Companies can change that by making small and manageable efforts to recognize employees more often.

How Much Should A Company Spend On Employee Appreciation?

Larger companies might have more funding than smaller companies for employee appreciation. There’s not specific amount that a company should spend on employee appreciation. They should instead choose a path that’s effective and fits their budget.

Kudoboard is an accessible and affordable option for large companies, as it helps companies not only with employee appreciation, but also with recruiting and onboarding, department contests, spot bonuses, and more. the pricing options also provide unlimited usage for a certain number of users, depending on tier.