The new year is a time when employees feel refreshed, ready to pick up new habits, fulfill 2023 resolutions, and take on more challenges. It is a unique moment on the calendar, and often in the fiscal year when employers have the chance to motivate employees to perform their best work and put practices in place that set them up for a successful work year.

As much of the U.S. gets back to a “new normal” with the COVID-19 pandemic waning, many businesses that require either low-wage, hourly, or exclusively in-person workforces are still finding themselves short-staffed. These sectors of the American workforce are critical to the healing of the economy and for getting individual businesses back to operating at pre-pandemic levels. 

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.

When your employees finish a project in record time, rewarding them with any one of three CVS gift cards may be a practical yet wise choice, especially if you don't know where they like to eat or shop.

Rewarding employees within a tight budget is a common challenge in today’s HR climate. Employees want perks and employers want to maintain employee satisfaction and loyalty without going over budget on those employee perks. Here are three ways to reward employees without breaking the bank.