GiftCard Partners Blog

As the new year begins and the pandemic heightens, encouraging employees to set New Year’s resolutions both personally and professionally will help them achieve a better state of mental and physical health. Studies have shown that when a person sets and sticks to a goal, their self-esteem and overall outlook on life goes up. By incentivizing employees to set New Year’s goals, your organization will create a more positive, present, and engaged workforce.

Over the last few years, remote and hybrid work models have become standard practice across industries. In fact, as of 2024, nearly 30% of all full-time employees work remotely, 63% have flexible work arrangements, and 16% of U.S. companies are fully remote. While the urgency of the 2020 pandemic may have subsided, keeping remote employees engaged, connected, and motivated remains a top challenge for HR teams and organizational leaders.

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. 

When we talk about motivating employees, most people immediately think of promotions and cash bonuses. And sure, those have their place. But they're not sustainable motivators for everyday performance or long-term engagement.

With more than 200 sessions on the schedule, the 2017 Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Conference and Expo covers many hot topics including employee engagement and worker retention.