Have you marked your calendar for Employee Appreciation Day? Celebrated on the 7th of March, this event provides a time for employers nationwide to thank and recognise their employees for their continued hard work and loyalty.

As an employee benefits platform, we love Employee Appreciation Day! But we also believe it’s just as important to reflect on how you support your people all year round. After all, should employee recognition be limited to just one day?

A recent survey found that the UK workforce is one of the most under-appreciated personnel in the world. They scored 61.8 out of 100 on the appreciation index, falling behind the US, Australia and the global average score of 65 (1). Whilst taking the time on the 4th of March to respect your employees is a fantastic idea, we ask you to consider what could be done on a daily basis at your workplace to build a strong, happy work culture.

Employee Appreciation Deep Dive!

The benefits of integrating employee appreciation strategies into your organisation are invaluable, from productivity to work relationships, it can have a profound impact on every aspect of your business.

More than 80% of employees say that they work harder when they feel valued for their hard work (2), and even a simple thank you can go a long way towards fostering a happier workplace. We encourage you to find innovative ways to prove to your workforce that their dedication is appreciated. However, this doesn’t have to be a costly one-time expense, as many employees prefer meaningful perks spread throughout the year.

Showing your team that they are valued will also increase your company retention, enabling you to retain your top talent for years to come. 79% of employees say an increase in recognition rewards would make them more loyal to their employer (3), highlighting how important it is for them to be integrated into your company consistently.

Employee appreciation should be given to every individual, including their peers and management, for an effective recognition strategy! 82% of employees state that management recognition improves their happiness at work, and 41% say peer-to-peer recognition is also valuable to them (4). We would recommend creating a space where both options can be easily offered.

Elevate Your Employee Appreciation

So, how can you show your team they are important to you?

Whilst honouring Employee Appreciation Day is an excellent way to get started, here are some top methods to offer meaningful regular rewards and recognition that empowers your workplace to foster an amazing work culture.

1. Send Ecards – these can be an effective, simple and personal way to share a meaningful message with a peer or team to recognise their hard work or personal life event. Build up a collection of designs and honour everything from a simple well done to a religious holiday or promotion.

2. Offer personal rewards – offering exclusive discounts on an array of retailers and experiences empowers your people to enjoy the things they love for less. This can encourage a healthier work-life balance whilst supporting their financial wellbeing.

3. Organise regular outings – providing the chance for your team to do something fun can nurture team spirit and enable them to get to know each other on a more personal level. It could be anything from a lunch to a fun day out.

4. Add salary sacrifices to your benefits package – this is a cost-effective way to remove financial barriers to big purchases for your team. Salary sacrifices can cover anything from technology, childcare, bikes, and even booking the perfect getaway! Plus, both you and your people can benefit from reduced National insurance and tax expenses.

Find out how Each Person can elevate your work culture and help you celebrate your workforce on a daily basis by contacting our experts today!

https://www.eachperson.com/contact

 

References:

1. SPA, 2025, ‘One in three Brits don’t feel appreciated at work’

https://spa.org.uk/one-in-three-brits-dont-feel-appreciated-at-work/

2. Danielle M.Jones, 2025, ‘50-Must-Know Employee Recognition Statistics in 2025’

https://www.selectsoftwarereviews.com/blog/employee-recognition-statistics#:~:text=Employees%20are%2018%20times%20more,them%20loyal%20to%20their%20employers

3. EFX, 2025, ‘38 Statistics On Employee Recognition & Motivation 2025’

https://www.efx.co.uk/36-statistics-on-employee-recognition-and-motivation/

4. Jade Madeley, 2024, ‘11 Employee recognition statistics worth bookmarking in 2025’

https://stribehq.com/resources/employee-recognition-statistics/