Keeping Workers Happy & Engaged During Holiday Shifts

For many businesses, staying open during the holidays is essential. Whether you’re a retail store, restaurant, healthcare provider, or service organization, holiday operations can make or break your end-of-year success. But for employees, working through the holidays can also bring stress, fatigue, and a sense of missing out.

Balancing business needs with employee well-being isn’t easy, but it’s one of the smartest investments you can make in retention, morale, and productivity.

The Cost of Overlooking Holiday Fatigue

According to the 2025 Gallup State of the Global Workplace report, only 21% of employees say they feel engaged at work, while nearly 60% report feeling stressed “a lot of the day.” The holiday season can amplify that stress, especially for employees working longer hours or covering extra shifts.

When workers feel overlooked or undervalued during this period, morale dips—and so does performance. SHRM notes that recognition is one of the top three factors influencing job satisfaction, sometimes ranking higher than pay or advancement opportunities. Even small gestures of appreciation can make a measurable difference in engagement and retention.

Practical Ways to Show Holiday Appreciation

1. Offer Scheduling Flexibility

Whenever possible, give employees some say in when they work. Rotating shifts fairly, allowing shift swaps, or letting team members request preferred holidays helps reduce burnout and resentment. Transparency and fairness in scheduling go a long way toward maintaining trust.

2. Make Recognition Visible and Timely

Don’t wait until January to express gratitude. Recognize great work in real time: during team huddles, with a public thank-you message, or even through internal newsletters. The key is to make recognition visible, consistent, and sincere.

3. Give Rewards That Feel Personal

Even small rewards can have a big emotional impact when they feel meaningful. A $25 or $50 gift card for coffee, a favorite restaurant, or a versatile brand like Amazon.com or Target can show appreciation without breaking your budget. The key is relevance—think about what will make employees’ lives a little easier or more joyful during a busy season.

4. Create Moments of Connection

Team meals, a holiday raffle, or a simple appreciation wall can boost camaraderie and give employees a reason to smile during high-pressure periods. According to SHRM, 79% of employees who feel recognized and connected to their team are more loyal to their employer.

Extend the Impact Beyond the Holidays

The best holiday recognition programs don’t end when the decorations come down. A thoughtful reward strategy can carry momentum into the new year, reminding employees that appreciation isn’t seasonal.

The Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform makes that easy. With bulk ordering, flexible delivery (digital or physical), and options for over 250 brands, managers can quickly distribute personalized rewards to thank employees for covering tough shifts, achieving end-of-year goals, or going the extra mile for customers. You can even send digital rewards directly to recipients’ SMS or email inboxes—fast, flexible, and easy.

A Small Gesture, a Lasting Impact

Employees who feel seen and valued during the holidays are more likely to bring that positive energy back to work in the months ahead. Whether it’s a small denomination gift card, an extra hour off, or a heartfelt thank-you note, what matters most is authenticity.

Keep in mind: recognition doesn’t have to be expensive—it just has to be consistent. When you prioritize appreciation during the holidays, you’re not just rewarding hard work; you’re building a stronger, more resilient culture for the year ahead.

Schedule a call with our team to discuss how gift card rewards can elevate your employee recognition and appreciation strategy this holiday season.