GiftCard Partners Blog

Maintaining an engaged workforce is top of mind for many employers. Implementing effective employee reward and incentive programs with gift cards is a flexible, easy way to keep employees happy and provide positive reinforcement that fits any budget.

When selecting the gift cards to use in your program you can select either prepaid cards or branded gift cards.Prepaid cards are retailer agnostic and come primarily from Visa^® and Mastercard^® while branded gift cards are usable at one specific retailer. Both products offer flexibility, easy delivery and convenience for program administrators and program participants alike.

As organizations continue to adapt to the evolving landscape of remote and hybrid work, maintaining and enhancing employee engagement has become a pivotal focus. A Gallup report indicates that in 2024, only 31% of U.S. employees were engaged at work, reflecting a significant decline from previous years. This underscores the need for innovative strategies to foster connection, motivation, and satisfaction among remote teams, particularly since 73% of teams are projected to include remote employees by 2028.

Employee appreciation isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for retention, productivity, and morale. According to Gallup, employees who feel undervalued are twice as likely to consider quitting within the next year. On the other hand, Workhuman reports that happier employees help their colleagues 33% more often, spend 46% more time on tasks, and report being 65% more energized by their work. To build a motivated and loyal team, thoughtful rewards such as gift cards can make all the difference.

As the holiday season approaches, companies are gearing up to show appreciation to their employees and clients. Gift cards have long been a favorite for corporate holiday gifting due to their flexibility, ease of use, and broad appeal. According to a recent survey, corporate gift recipients prefer to receive gift cards as their #1 choice. 

Special thanks to Jim Schulz of Travel Tags, Inc. and Rich Olson of Optimum Card Solutions, LLC, who generously shared their insights and experiences for this blog post. Your valuable contributions have enriched the content and provided readers with a deeper understanding of the subject matter.