GiftCard Partners Blog

Every April we celebrate Administrative Professionals Day, a day to honor the work of the support staff on our team. The holiday has its origins in World War II when administrative professionals were scarce, and a celebration was required not only to honor those occupying positions, but to attract young talent to the profession.

Employee Appreciation Day is an important day of the year, but if you want a bigger impact, you should opt in for showing your appreciation all year long.

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.

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.