GiftCard Partners Blog

Every year Employee Appreciation Day falls on the first Friday in March. It's a practice that is not only important influence on your productivity, bottom line, and turnover, it's also something you should be focusing on every day.

Workplace disengagement is a rising trend that no manager likes to see but is happening in businesses all across the country. In just the past four years, employee disengagement rose 17 percent according to Gallup data.

Employers are looking beyond the standard holiday bonus to create meaningful, memorable appreciation moments. With engagement still lagging nationally, thoughtful non-cash recognition can make a measurable difference in morale, loyalty, and performance.

Employee loyalty is challenging right now; unemployment rates are low and companies have to be more competitive than ever to retain employees and to build loyalty.

The race to keep employees engaged has never been tougher, and organizations that rely only on cash bonuses are leaving real value on the table. Extra pay is appreciated, but it blends quickly into bills and everyday expenses. Non-cash rewards such as gift cards, experiences, and lifestyle perks stand out because they create emotional impact and memorable recognition. In a workforce where only 32% of employees report feeling engaged (5), recognition strategies built on experiences rather than transactions are essential for driving performance and loyalty.