Human Resource (HR) managers have found major importance in both rewarding employees and showing employee recognition. Through both rewarding and recognising an employee a corresponding motivation level is increased for the employee and in turn can further positively increase employee productivity and performance.

Moreover, it is likely when an employee is shown rewards and recognition from management, they become increasingly more satisfied with the organisation that they are working for. This is beneficial as it works to ensure employees are being retained within the organisation effectively.

The motivation of an employee is largely important for recognition and rewarding them. When considering whether to reward the employee or show recognition it is essential­­­­ to understand what form of motivation you desire to attain for the employee. This means through rewarding and recognising the employee management aims to meet employee needs such as the needs described within Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs theory which includes; self-actualisation, esteem, social, safety or physiological needs. Further, the consideration of whether or not to conduct this in a way that attains extrinsic motivation or intrinsic motivation must be considered.

In turn, once thinking about the strategy you wish to undertake to ensure employees are going to be motivated and satisfied implementing the correct reward or recognition choice should be done. The following are five different ways to effectively reward and recognise remote workers.

Digital Rewards

Digital rewards are a largely effective way to reward an employee within an organisation who is working remotely. Digital rewards are specifically e-gift cards that can be purchased by management to be given to employees at any given moment in time. The e-gift card may be sent to the employee instantaneously via email and acts as a kind gesture that promotes to the employee that you value the work they are completing within the organisation. Further, the digital reward may be given to employees who perform well or meet certain organisational goals when working remotely. In turn, this will effectively increase employee productivity and motivation to complete work effectively.

Surprise Gift

A surprise gift to be given to a remote worker is a highly effective way to reward employees within the organisation. Specifically surprise gifts are any form of physical presents to be sent to the employee to show acknowledgment for achievements, performance outcomes or even act as a motivating tool to engage the employee within the remote workplace. An example of a surprise gift that any manager may send to a remote employee maybe a box of snacks, flowers or even a box with many small presents catered to that employees’ interests. If this is effectively conducted an employee is likely to feel a sense of satisfaction that management is proud of the work the employee is conducting within the organisation and further gain a sense of organisational safety which is essential in employee retention.

Prize Wheel

A prize wheel is a largely unique and interesting reward to provide to a remote worker within an organisation. A prize wheel is specifically a wheel that can be spun to determine what an employee may win. This could be given to the employee online through various applications that allow managers to pick a list of prizes that the employee may receive and simply the employee may spin the wheel which reveals the employees’ prize. This is a fun and engaging activity to effectively engage the employee and promote them to work stronger to get the opportunity to spin the prize wheel again within the future effectively promoting employee motivation and productivity.

Appreciation Letter

An appreciation letter is a largely useful recognition tool to provide to remote workers within an organisation. Specifically, an appreciation letter has been commonly utilised by management as a message that lets an employee know that they have performed exceptionally for the work they have completed. Moreover, the appreciation letter may be utilised to identify significant goals such as time within the organisation that a manager may want to show appreciation and recognition to the employee. In turn, the appreciation letter effectively aims to encourage the employee to continue to keep up the good work within the organisation and shows that an organisation strongly admires the efforts that they take. Thus, the appreciation letter effectively helps in motivating employees and can be further utilised to retain employees within the organisation.

Time Off

Time off to be given to a remote worker within the organisation is an extremely useful tool that management may utilise effectively. Specifically, time off may be given to employees in a variety of forms. The first way the reward of time off may be given is through letting the employee finish work early. This should be utilised when an employee has completed the tasks at work effectively and you may allow them to finish work early through recognising the accomplishment and productivity they have accomplished for the day. The second way the reward of time off may be given is through letting the employee have a full day or week off work. This should be given with close consideration of how it may impact both the business and employee. If it is seen to have a largely positive impact and no sign of negative influence on the employee and business than proceed. Through doing this the employee will feel largely satisfied with the organisation they work for and further may feel even more motivated to work productively in the future to hopefully attain these benefits once again. ­­­