Are you thinking of giving your employees a gift or holding a big Employee Appreciation Day party? That’s a great idea! More managers should take extra steps to show their workers that they care and appreciate their hard work.

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But your efforts will only land if you know the right things to say. Many folks have trouble finding the right words regarding employee recognition (some of whom you might not speak to every day). 

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That’s what this guide is for. Read on as we break down ten of the best employee appreciation messages to send, which are perfect to include in personalised eGift cards.

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What To Keep in Mind When Writing/Recording Appreciation Messages To Staff

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Some appreciation messages are better than others. In many cases, what makes the difference is how thoughtful you can be when writing or recording your words of appreciation for employees at an individual level. 

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Here are some things to keep in mind when drafting appreciation words for employees:

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Mention Milestones To Make People Feel Important

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Always mention important milestones or benchmarks in an employee’s professional career. For example, if an employee recently passed their ten year anniversary at your company, why not mention it in an appreciation message?

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Use Your Sense of Humour To Boost Engagement

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For both employees and managers, meaningful messages can feel a tad awkward. But if you inject a little humour into your written or recorded message, you can put everyone at ease. 

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Humour absolutely belongs in the workplace — it decreases burnout and boosts creativity. However, workers must toe the line between laughter and liability. Give it a go, and if you have doubts, ask your HR department.

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Pronounce the Employee’s Name Perfectly

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Depending on the size of your organisation, you might have one or more employees you aren’t very familiar with, some of whom may have names you find difficult to pronounce. In that case, look up how to pronounce those unfamiliar names accurately. 

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Pronouncing an employee’s name incorrectly negates the kind intent behind the message. Asking their direct manager to help you pronounce the name properly is key to making the right kind of impact. Plus, it’ll help you avoid any future social awkwardness if you have a personal conversation with that employee in the future.

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Go the Extra Mile — Write a Separate Employee Appreciation Day Message for Each Worker

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Nothing says "I really appreciate you" more than a manager writing or recording a separate message for each worker they employ. 

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The little things count, and the effort to personalise your appreciation messages for your employees’ hard work can go a long way toward fostering more employee engagement, employee motivation, and an overall positive attitude in the workplace.

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Write or record something personal and unique for every worker you want to connect with. This will help your workers recognise your brand as exceptional in its industry.

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However, if you have dozens or hundreds of employees, this can get incredibly time-consuming. In that case, you can make an equal impact by branding company-wide emails with corporate logos, custom images, or even videos with Prezzee. 

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Highlight the Positive Impact the Recipient Has on the Company

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Many workers — even high-performing, rock-star employees — fail to see how much of a positive impact they make. That’s why it’s your job to highlight their incredible work. 

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Speak specifically about the employee's major improvements to the company, the significant accounts they closed, or the other positive things they accomplished over the last year. In many cases, it helps employees recognise all the good they’ve done if they hear it from a manager or supervisor. 

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Or you can mention an employee’s work ethic, teamwork, and how they directly contributed to the company’s success. Regardless, it’ll improve their morale and self-esteem and might even lead to more outstanding work performance in the future.

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Bottom line: the more specific you are in your employee thank you messages, the better. 

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Top Employee Appreciation Day Quotes

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Want to get started writing or recording the best employee appreciation messages? Below are some example employee appreciation thank you quotes for you to try out. 

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Remember, feel free to tweak or adjust these messages — for example, you might make them a little more humorous depending on your audience, or you might make your employee appreciation note more sincere and direct to double down on your gratitude. It’s up to you!

• “You inspire the entire team and me — our company culture wouldn’t be the same without you.”
• “You don’t just do good work. You do great work and are a great employee. Keep it up, and we’ll fly high!”
• “Your outstanding performance showcases you as a role model to your coworkers and me. We couldn’t do this without you.”
• “It’s your #-year work anniversary! Just wanted to say how much we appreciate you and express gratitude for the light you bring to the workplace each and every day over your years of service. Kudos on a job routinely well done!”
• “Your presence makes every single day high-quality. Your unique perspective improves our work environment beyond measure. Thank you!”
• “(Name), you exemplify our company values and do excellent work. Thanks for your dedication and commitment.”
• “When we need innovative thinking and creative solutions, we come to you. Thanks for keeping us agile and ahead of the pack.”
• “Your candour, sense of humour, and intelligence are all vital to our business. Thanks for being a part of our team.”
• “(Name), our best day was when we decided to hire you!”
• “You go above and beyond each day, and we appreciate you for it! Thanks for your commitment to our company.”

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Templates for Success: Incentives for Amazing Employees

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As you can see, you can tell your employees many things to show them that you appreciate all their hard work. Remember to tweak the above messages depending on your personality, the employees you’re speaking to, and the type of message.

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For example, if you send an eGift card from Prezzee, it’s a breeze to make every one totally personalised. Not only can you choose from over 400 brands (including The Iconic, JB Hi-Fi, Red Balloon, Myer, and more), but the recipients can swap their eGift card for another if they want to. It lands in the middle of the Venn diagram between “the thought that counts” and “the gift of choice.”

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This is the best way to show genuine gratitude for the hard workers who keep your business running year after year. Sign up for free and send out eGifts today.

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FAQs about Employee Appreciation Day

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What is Employee Appreciation Day?

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Employee Appreciation Day is an annual holiday that encourages employers to recognise and celebrate the hard work of their employees. 

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When is Employee Appreciation Day?

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Employee Appreciation Day is celebrated on the first Friday in March. 

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How to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day

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Giving your employees a special gift paired with a thoughtful message is a memorable way to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day. You could also have a special lunch in the office or take everyone out for a team bonding activity.

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Is Employee Appreciation Day global?

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Whilst Employee Appreciation day is observed in America and Canada, the holiday is becoming more popular worldwide. Sending team appreciation messages is an activity that can be taken part in no matter where you are from. 

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Sources:

If You Don’t Know How to Say Someone’s Name, Just Ask | Harvard Business Review

6 Ways to Show Your Employees You Appreciate Them -- Without Paying Them More | Entrepreneur

Using Humor To Build A High-Performing Workplace | Harvard Business Review

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