20 Unique and Custom Employee of the Month Ideas To Impress Team Members

Your organization relies on the hard work and dedication of its employees. Their time and effort drive your business’ growth and should be recognized for their invaluable contributions. Employee of the month programs honor your top team members, which can motivate the celebrated employee and everyone around them.

When it comes to how you’ll highlight excellent employees, you have many options, from traditional items like plaques and trophies to fun gifts like event tickets and swag. At FineAwards.com, we’re committed to creating customized, high-quality awards that impact your employees. In this blog, we’ll offer a list of creative employee of the month ideas, along with tips on creating an effective rewards program that boosts engagement and morale.

What is an Employee of the Month Award?

An employee of the month award recognizes top performers at a company through rewards each calendar month. By integrating a consistent approach to celebrating your excellent staff of the month, you show your teams that hard work does not go unnoticed and motivate them to strive for that award themselves. Depending on the size of your company or how it is structured, you might recognize just one associate of the month, or several individuals who have made a significant impact.

Benefits of Employee of the Month Recognition

Implementing a structured employee of the month program can foster a culture of positivity, helping your teams feel more engaged in their work. Here are additional benefits of starting this type of program:

• Create healthy competition. Because there is a limited number of awards, these programs can inspire your teams to push themselves to rise to the top.
• Improve workplace performance. Knowing that hard work is rewarded can inspire your team members to perform their best in pursuing next month’s award.
• Attract and retain talent. Generous employee awards programs can serve as additional incentives for top talent to join your company — and to stay. Many job applicants even inquire about rewards programs when considering new positions.
• Promote company values. By awarding employees who exemplify company values, you encourage others to do the same, fortifying your organization's guiding principles.

Strengthen company culture and bring the best out of your employees with a reliable employee of the month program.

20 Employee of the Month Ideas

There are countless ways to reward your top worker of the month. Selecting the right award begins by identifying your company’s values and culture and considering the unique interests of your employees. Don’t forget to customize the award to make it meaningful to the recipient. Here are 20 employee of the month ideas ranging from traditional to imaginative.

1. A Unique Award

Traditional awards such as trophies, plaques, and crystal towers allow employees to showcase their accomplishments in a prominent place such as a mantle or desk. These can serve as a daily reminder to the recipient and those around them that excellence is celebrated at your organization. Classic awards are also easy to customize with important details such as anniversary dates, job titles, and reasons for recognition.

2. Celebratory Lunch or Dinner

Treating your top employees to lunch or dinner shows that you recognize their hard work and creates an opportunity to spend time with your team. Sharing a meal strengthens your connections with your teams while honoring your staff’s dedication. You can take them out or have a meal delivered to the office.

3. Company Swag

Company swag, such as tote bags, hoodies, and reusable water bottles, is practical and reminds employees of their connection to your company, even when they’re away from the office. You can also create department-specific swag, such as yoga mats or tumblers, for the accounting or sales teams, adding details that are significant to them.

4. Team Building Event

Consider taking your top performers out of the office for a team-building event. Whether it’s a ropes course, escape room, or improv class, these events help fortify ties within your staff and improve employee communication. Time out of the office also gives your cherished employees a chance to get to know one another, boosting camaraderie in the workplace.

5. Gift Certificate

Treat a dedicated worker to a massage, a nice meal, or shopping at their favorite store with a gift certificate. By choosing a certificate from one of their preferred vendors, you show that you pay attention to your employees’ hobbies and interests.

6. Extra PTO

Additional paid time off is always a welcomed gift. Extra PTO gives your hardworking staff a chance to refresh and reenergize, which can improve their performance when they return to the workplace. You can increase the PTO with performance by giving extra days based on milestones such as sales goals or overtime worked.

7. One-Time Bonus

If increasing an employee’s salary isn’t in the company budget, a one-time bonus can be an excellent alternative. Everyone appreciates a monetary gift because they can use it for the item or experience of their choosing.

8. Personalized Gift

Whether it’s an embossed wallet, an engraved watch, or a monogrammed blanket, there are many corporate gifts you can easily personalize. Add details such as the recipient’s name, job title, years worked at the company, and any other significant information showing their accomplishments.

9. Professional Development

Employees invest in companies that invest in them. So, consider funding the professional development of a devoted team member. Pay for a course or training that can help them advance their career. This benefits your employees and your company because that staff member will be better equipped to take on greater responsibilities at work.

10. Charity Donation

If generosity is one of your company's core values, consider making a charitable donation in the name of the employee you’re celebrating. You can choose an organization that is meaningful to them, such as an animal rescue, youth development program, unhoused services, or something else.

11. Surprise Delivery

Mix things up by making the monthly award a surprise delivery tailored to the employee. It could be a care package, a bottle of champagne, or lunch dropped off at their desk. Not knowing what each month’s surprise delivery might be could keep employees excited about the program and curious to see what’s next.

12. Workspace Upgrade

A modern and comfortable workspace improves performance, focus, and morale. So, give your most committed employees a workplace upgrade. This could include a new desk chair, office supplies, or even moving them from a cubicle to a private office.

13. Team Recognition

If an entire team — such as the accounting or sales team — worked together to move your company forward, recognize them as a whole. Some accomplishments truly are group efforts and are best celebrated as such. Take the impressive team out to lunch, give them a gift certificate they can use together, or hand out engraved corporate awards, such as gemstones or crystal paperweights, just for their group.

14. Streaming Platform Subscription

Give your valued employee the gift of entertainment with a subscription to Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, or their preferred streaming service. They’ll enjoy winding down at the end of the day with their favorite shows and movies and think of your company each time they press the play button.

15. Event Tickets

Reward your most appreciated team members with the thrill of a live event. Consider their particular interests and treat them to a pair of tickets that reflect those interests. There are plenty of live events to choose from, such as sporting events, ballet, and live comedy shows.

16. Wellness Package

Rejuvenate your hardest-working team members with a wellness package. This could be as simple as a day at a spa or a weekend at a wellness retreat, complete with yoga, meditation sessions, hiking, and healthy meals. When your employees indulge in much-needed self-care, they’ll return to work prepared to perform at a top level.

17. Access to Company Perks

If your company offers benefits/perks such as company vehicles, an upscale gym membership, access to a social/networking club, or even a designated parking spot, you might not be able to give every employee access to. However, you can reserve access for employees of the month, giving them something exclusive to strive for.

18. A One-on-One with the CEO

The CEO’s time is valuable, and most employees would be honored to spend quality time with the head of the company. They can share ideas, discuss career advancement opportunities, and pick the CEO’s brain for professional advice and insights.

19. A New Gadget/Device

Everyone can get excited about a new smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Employees can use their devices to boost productivity at work and streamline their at-home tasks. Because some devices are costly, they might not make sense for a monthly reward but can be available as a quarterly reward. Employees who have qualified for employee of the month several times throughout the quarter can be nominated to win this big-ticket item.

20. A Points Program

Some companies choose to create a rewards points program in place of standardized gifts. Each time a staff member wins employee of the month awards, they accumulate points they can use for their chosen gift. Some might save up points for a big reward, like a vacation, while others might use a smaller amount on a spa day or gift card.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Rewarding a Team Member of the Month

Following a few best practices is important for creating a successful employee of the month program. Consistency is key, as are these do’s and don’ts.

Do Establish Selection Criteria

Ensure that employees understand what they must do to be eligible for the award. Establish a clear employee of the month award description, and post it somewhere everyone can see (or send it out in a company-wide memo). Knowing how to win the award can eliminate confusion and frustration and give your employees clear goals to strive for.

Don’t Pick a Repeat Winner

There might be times when the same employee qualifies for the award, month after month. However, it’s important to rotate winners to motivate your teams. If several employees qualify for the award, you could ask the entire office to vote on a winner, establishing a democratic process around the program. Some companies set up a nomination process involving the entire company in the selection.

Do Offer Thoughtful Awards

The awards you give out must show attention to detail and reflect the specific contributions and/or values of the winner. Giving thoughtful awards that recipients will use and cherish can help them feel more connected to your company and more dedicated to its success.

Don’t Ignore Employee Feedback

It’s a good idea to routinely ask your teams for feedback on the employee reward program. This is a great opportunity to identify any elements of the program that employees feel are unfair or could be improved upon. The program is meant to uplift your teams; their feedback helps you create a program they’ll get excited about.

Do Make Employee of the Month More Meaningful

While criteria such as meeting sales goals, mentoring new employees, or working extra hours can all create an effective employee of the month program, you can make it more meaningful by tying in other attributes and behaviors. You could also recognize acts of kindness, initiative, and other behaviors that make employees stand out.

Customize Your Employee of the Month Award With FineAwards.com

Create custom awards for your employee of the month program to demonstrate how much their hard work means to you. At FineAwards.com, we make meaningful awards from high-quality materials tailored to reflect your company’s values and honor your employees’ contributions. Explore our custom corporate awards, like plaques, watches, paperweights, and more. With awards spanning dozens of materials, types, and sizes, we have options that align with your needs and budget. Visit FineAwards.com and begin designing items your employees will cherish for years.