Employee appreciation can directly impact your business results. 

78% of employees would be more productive if they were recognized more frequently. 

But appreciation often takes a little more creativity in a remote or hybrid environment. 

This article explores 20 unique virtual employee appreciation ideas to help you improve culture, engagement, and productivity. 

What is virtual employee appreciation?

Virtual employee appreciation involves recognizing and celebrating the efforts and achievements of remote employees through online platforms and digital tools. It is about making remote workers feel valued and connected to the company despite the physical distance. 

Effective virtual appreciation can enhance employee engagement, boost morale, and foster a positive work culture.

How do you show appreciation to employees virtually?

Showing appreciation to employees virtually requires creativity and the right tools. Here are some ways to do it effectively:

1. Frequent recognition: Regularly acknowledge employees’ contributions during virtual meetings, on communication platforms like Slack or MS Teams, and through emails.
2. Personalized messages: Send personalized thank-you notes or video messages to make employees feel special.
3. Gifts and rewards: Use e-gift cards, care packages, or digital swag as tokens of appreciation.
4. Public acknowledgment: Share achievements on company-wide channels and social media platforms like LinkedIn to publicly recognize employees.
5. Development opportunities: Offer virtual learning and development opportunities to show investment in their growth.

26 unique virtual employee appreciation ideas

1. Virtual happy hours

Host regular virtual happy hours where team members can unwind and socialize. These events can include fun themes, games, or even a virtual mixologist to teach cocktail-making. Happy hours are a great way to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day and promote team bonding.

Pro tip: Use a platform like Confetti to find fun virtual happy hour ideas like wine tastings and mixology classes. 

2. E-gift cards

Send personalized e-gift cards to remote workers as a token of appreciation. Whether it’s for coffee, a favorite restaurant, or an online store, gift cards are a versatile and appreciated gesture.

Pro Tip: Use GoProfiles for employee rewards. When an employee gives recognition to a coworker, they can also give them points that can be redeemed for e-gift cards.

3. Virtual team building activities

Organize virtual team-building activities like online escape rooms, trivia nights, or collaborative games. These activities foster teamwork and camaraderie among remote employees.

Pro tip: Use a platform like Let’s Roam to find unique team-building activities 

4. Care packages

Send care packages to remote employees’ homes. Include items like snacks, personalized notes, and branded merchandise to make them feel special and appreciated. Customize the care packages to fit the employee’s individual preferences. 

Pro tip: GoProfiles offers robust employee profiles where you can find out a coworker’s favorite hobbies, movies, snacks, and interests. This information can help you plan out a personalized care package. 

5. Recognition in communication channels

Utilize communication channels like Slack and MS Teams for employee recognition. GoProfiles makes it easy to acknowledge achievements and milestones within these platforms. Celebrate work anniversaries, project completions, and peer recognition in a public forum to boost morale and employee engagement.

6. Virtual lunches

Arrange virtual lunches where the company covers the cost. Send meal vouchers or Uber Eats gift cards to employees and enjoy a meal together over a video call. This helps maintain social connections and fosters a sense of community.

7. Public recognition on LinkedIn

Celebrate employee achievements on LinkedIn. GoProfiles’ peer recognition feature facilitates easy sharing of recognition on social media, amplifying the appreciation and showcasing your company’s positive culture. Public recognition can enhance an employee’s professional profile and foster pride in their work.

8. Online wellness programs

Offer online wellness programs, such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, or fitness challenges. Supporting employees’ well-being is a key aspect of employee appreciation. These programs can be scheduled regularly to encourage ongoing participation and promote a healthy work-life balance.

Pro tip: Check out Let’s Roam for an engaging virtual yoga class 

9. Virtual learning opportunities

Provide access to virtual learning opportunities like webinars, online courses, or workshops. Encouraging continuous learning and development shows that you value your employees’ growth and career advancement.

10. Personalized video messages

Create personalized video messages from leadership or team members to recognize and celebrate individual accomplishments. These heartfelt messages can be more impactful than written notes and add a personal touch.

11. Virtual office tours

Host virtual office tours where remote employees can see their colleagues’ workspaces and share their own. This can be a fun way to promote team bonding and give a glimpse into each other’s daily lives. Offer prizes to show appreciation to those who participated. 

12. Virtual appreciation day

Employee Appreciation Day is celebrated on the first Friday of March. Mark this on your calendars and plan an employee appreciation day celebration with custom swag or various activities, such as online games or a virtual awards ceremony. Recognize different achievements and contributions throughout the day to keep the energy high and engagement strong.

13. Peer recognition programs

Implement peer recognition programs where employees can nominate and appreciate their colleagues. GoProfiles makes peer recognition seamless and encourages a culture of mutual appreciation. This can be done through bravo badges, shout-outs, and a dedicated recognition channel.

14. Employee spotlights

Feature employees in a monthly spotlight segment in your company newsletter or intranet. Highlight their achievements, hobbies, and contributions to the team. This recognition can be shared widely and helps build a sense of pride and belonging.

15. Digital swag

Send digital swag, such as custom Zoom backgrounds, wallpapers, or personalized emojis, to remote employees. These fun and creative items can make virtual interactions more enjoyable and personalized.

16. Virtual coffee breaks

Schedule regular virtual coffee breaks where employees can take a short break and chat with their colleagues. These informal sessions help maintain social connections and provide a mental break during the workday.

17. Online hobby clubs

Create online hobby clubs where employees with similar interests can connect and share their passions. Whether it’s a book club, a cooking group, or a gardening community, these clubs can foster deeper connections among team members.

Pro tip: GoProfiles offers employee groups, which make it easy for employees to create and join new groups based on their interests. 

18. Recognition certificates

Design and send digital recognition certificates to acknowledge employees’ achievements and contributions. These certificates can be personalized and shared on social media for added recognition. With GoProfiles, employees receive custom badges for things like work anniversaries, bravos receives, etc.

19. Virtual experience days

Offer virtual experience days where employees can choose from various online activities, such as a virtual museum tour, a cooking class, or a live concert. This unique approach allows employees to have fun and relax while being appreciated for their hard work.

20. Virtual fitness challenges

Host virtual fitness challenges to encourage healthy living and team spirit. Set goals, track progress, and celebrate milestones together. These challenges can include step competitions, workout challenges, or even virtual marathons. Offer fun prizes to encourage participation and show appreciation. 

21. Employee shout-outs

Dedicate a portion of your virtual team meetings to give shout-outs to employees who have gone above and beyond. This public acknowledgment can boost morale and encourage others to strive for excellence.

22. Virtual awards ceremony

Host a virtual awards ceremony to recognize top performers and celebrate their achievements. Create fun and meaningful award categories that reflect your company culture and values.

23. Virtual mentorship programs

Establish virtual mentorship programs where employees can connect with mentors for guidance and support. This shows that you value their professional growth and are committed to their long-term success.

24. Surprise deliveries

Arrange for surprise deliveries of treats, flowers, or other small gifts to employees’ homes. These unexpected gestures can brighten their day and show that you appreciate their hard work and dedication.

25. Personalized playlists

Have everyone in a department pick a song that reminds them of each of their coworkers. Take those songs and create personalized playlists for each employee. This thoughtful gesture shows peer appreciation and can be a great morale booster.

26. Virtual offsite 

Plan a virtual offsite where teams can participate in team-building exercises, brainstorming sessions, and strategic planning discussions from their remote locations.

How GoProfiles helps facilitate employee appreciation

GoProfiles is an AI-powered employee engagement platform that makes recognizing and celebrating your remote team members seamless and impactful. Here are some key features that make GoProfiles an essential tool for virtual employee appreciation:

Peer recognition

GoProfiles enables peer recognition, allowing employees to nominate and appreciate their colleagues for their hard work and contributions. Peer recognition programs foster a culture of mutual appreciation and strengthen team bonds.

Employee celebrations

Celebrate work anniversaries, project completions, and other milestones effortlessly with GoProfiles. The platform integrates with communication channels like Slack and MS Teams, ensuring that celebrations are visible and shared company-wide. Public recognition can also be extended to LinkedIn, amplifying the appreciation.

Employee rewards

Reward your employees with digital badges, e-gift cards, and personalized messages through GoProfiles. The platform supports various recognition types, making it easy to show your appreciation in a meaningful way.

GoProfiles employee appreciation features checklist

• ✅ Recognition badges
• ✅ Leaderboard
• ✅ Social sharing
• ✅ Slack integration
• ✅ Employee profiles
• ✅ Team analytics
• ✅Employee Groups
• ✅ Generative AI suggestions
• ✅ Mobile app
• ✅ Team building games

Getting started with employee appreciation 

Virtual employee appreciation ideas are essential for maintaining a positive work culture and ensuring that remote employees feel valued and engaged. By implementing these unique ideas, HR managers and people managers can create meaningful and memorable experiences for their teams. 

Tools like GoProfiles simplify the recognition process, making it easy to celebrate achievements within communication channels like Slack and MS Teams and share recognition on LinkedIn.

Learn more about GoProfiles or schedule a demo to see it in action. 

FAQs

How do you reward employees virtually?

Employees can be rewarded virtually through various means, such as e-gift cards, personalized thank-you notes, public recognition on platforms like LinkedIn, and virtual experiences. Tools like GoProfiles can streamline the recognition process and make it more impactful. For more inspiration, reference the virtual employee appreciation ideas above.

How do you thank someone virtually?

Thanking someone virtually can be as simple as sending a heartfelt email or message, creating a personalized video, or acknowledging their efforts in a team meeting. Public recognition on social media platforms like LinkedIn also adds a special touch.

How to make remote employees feel appreciated?

To make remote employees feel appreciated, ensure regular communication, provide opportunities for professional development, publicly recognize their achievements, and send personalized gifts or care packages. Creating a supportive and inclusive remote work culture is key.

What are some cost-effective virtual employee appreciation ideas?

Cost-effective virtual employee appreciation ideas include personalized emails or messages, public recognition on company communication channels, digital certificates, virtual team-building activities, and access to online learning resources.

How can I use social media for employee recognition?

Using social media for employee recognition involves publicly acknowledging employees’ achievements on platforms like LinkedIn. Tools like GoProfiles make it easy to share recognition posts, which can boost the employee’s professional profile and enhance your company’s reputation.

How can I make virtual employee appreciation more personal?

Personalizing virtual employee appreciation can be achieved through personalized video messages, customized e-cards, personalized playlists, and recognizing individual achievements during virtual meetings. Tailoring the appreciation to individual preferences makes it more meaningful.

What are some creative virtual team-building activities?

Creative virtual team-building activities include online escape rooms, virtual trivia nights, collaborative games, virtual office tours, and online hobby clubs. These activities foster team spirit and camaraderie among remote employees.

How often should I recognize my remote employees?

Regular recognition is crucial for maintaining employee engagement. Aim to recognize remote employees at least monthly, and celebrate significant milestones like work anniversaries and project completions as they occur.

What are the benefits of virtual employee appreciation?

Virtual employee appreciation helps boost morale, enhance employee engagement, improve retention rates, and foster a positive work culture. It ensures that remote employees feel valued and connected to the organization.

What are the best tools for virtual employee appreciation?

The best tools for virtual employee appreciation include GoProfiles for comprehensive recognition and rewards, Slack and MS Teams for communication and peer recognition, and LinkedIn for public acknowledgment. Other useful tools include e-gift card platforms and virtual event services.

How can GoProfiles help with virtual employee appreciation?

GoProfiles simplifies the recognition process by allowing you to celebrate achievements within communication channels like Slack and MS Teams. It also facilitates sharing recognition on LinkedIn, amplifying the appreciation and showcasing your company’s positive culture.

What are some virtual appreciation day activities?

Virtual appreciation day activities can include online games, virtual awards ceremonies, talent shows, wellness programs, and team-building exercises. These activities keep the energy high and ensure all employees feel valued and appreciated.

How do I measure the effectiveness of virtual employee appreciation programs?

Measure the effectiveness of virtual employee appreciation programs through employee feedback surveys, engagement metrics, participation rates in virtual activities, and overall morale indicators. Tools like GoProfiles can also provide analytics on recognition and engagement levels.

What role does leadership play in virtual employee appreciation?

Leadership plays a crucial role in virtual employee appreciation by setting the tone, modeling appreciation behaviors, actively participating in recognition programs, and ensuring that appreciation is a core part of the company culture. Leaders should regularly acknowledge and celebrate their team members’ contributions.

How can I ensure inclusivity in virtual employee appreciation?

Ensure inclusivity in virtual employee appreciation by recognizing the diverse contributions of all team members, tailoring appreciation to individual preferences, using inclusive language, and providing various recognition methods to cater to different cultural and personal preferences. Regular feedback can also help improve inclusivity.