Are you looking for ways to motivate and reward your employees? Having an effective incentive program can be a game-changer for boosting employee morale and engagement. After all, who doesn’t love feeling appreciated and recognized for their hard work?

Whether considering financial rewards like bonuses or non-monetary incentives like extra time off, designing the right reward system can encourage employees to go the extra mile. And let’s be honest: happy employees are productive employees!

Let’s explore types of rewards and recognition programs that can help you motivate employees and make them feel valued. From financial incentives to creative ways to recognize employees, we’ve got you covered.

So, let’s dive in and discover how you can create a rewards program that resonates with your team and fosters a culture of appreciation and engagement. Get ready to boost employee morale and see its positive impact on your business!

What are the Different Types of Rewards?

Intrinsic rewards

Intrinsic benefits are intangible, internal motivators such as the potential of learning a new skill, earning praise from a boss you respect, or forming a fruitful, collaborative connection with a new colleague.

While these elements may not receive as much attention as more tangible prizes, they are an essential component of any effective employee reward system. This is because they connect deeply, delivering significance and fulfillment in ways other incentives cannot match.

employee recognition and wellness

Extrinsic rewards

Extrinsic rewards are on the opposite end of the spectrum. They include all of the physical ways employees are honored, such as better pay, more PTO, and a slew of reward points presented by a grateful team member.

Just as a large pay and excellent perks do not make a job desirable, an extraordinary culture, significant social recognition, and other intrinsic rewards will soon appear phony if your firm does not provide clear evidence that it loves its people.

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Monetary rewards

Many external incentives are based on money benefits. It is uncommon to find a team member who does not enjoy a salary raise, an unexpected bonus, or a gift card to their preferred restaurant.

However, financial incentives should not be the only consideration. Rather than confining cash incentives to one-time prizes from leadership, use an employee incentives platform to spread this important kind of recognition throughout your firm.

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Non-Monetary rewards

Non-monetary rewards comprise external incentives, such as a lunch with the CEO or freedom in how and where a staff member works, and intrinsic motivators, generally in the form of social appreciation. Letting workers know how much their work is valued, whether through a public awards ceremony or a simple note in chat, should be a regular habit for everyone in your firm, from leadership on down.

HR must emphasize teaching executives on the value of non-financial awards and offer all workers with a mobile-first, simple employee recognition solution that allows them to deliver appreciation whenever the need arises.

showing their appreciation shot of a group of coworkers applauding a work seminar

Wellness incentives

Rewards that promote employee health are an effective method of helping team members in bettering their lives both on and off the job. By connecting your employee recognition platform with a health solution, you can recognize workers when they achieve the wellness objectives they have set for themselves.

You may also promote mental and physical well-being within your firm by providing suitable incentives such as mindfulness courses and gym memberships.

Wellness

Employee incentives

Employee incentives comprise all of the rewards your organization provides to employees. Employees now expect firms to go beyond typical incentives such as retirement savings and health insurance and provide personalized perks suited to their specific requirements.

This might range from increased freedom to pick their job duties and projects to tuition reimbursement, allowing them to pursue the degree they’ve always wanted. Ask your employees what they think about your present perks, listen to their feedback, and take action to tailor your incentive program accordingly.

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What are the 6 core types of employee rewards and incentives?

The most effective reward systems use a mix of incentives to engage different employee motivations. You can categorize rewards in many ways, and many overlap. The goal should be to break them down into types that clarify how and why employees should be recognized. Here, then, are 6 types of employee rewards that you can use as a guide to building an effective rewards program that team members truly value. Reward employees with a program that enhances employee recognition and employee engagement and makes employees feel valued.

These 6 types of employee rewards and incentives can help you achieve that:

Reward employees with a program that enhances employee recognition and employee engagement and makes employees feel valued.

These 6 types of employee rewards can help you achieve that:

 

1. How do intrinsic rewards foster engagement?

Intrinsic Rewards And Extrinsic Rewards: The Ultimate Guide

Intrinsic rewards support motivation from within, tied to personal growth and fulfillment. Intrinsic rewards are intangible, internal motivators like developing new skills, receiving praise from admired leaders or building collaborative relationships with coworkers. While these factors don’t get as much attention as tangible rewards, they are irreplaceable to any successful rewards system. Intrinsic rewards engage employees deeply, providing meaning and satisfaction in ways other types of rewards can’t replicate. Understanding the types of intrinsic rewards your employees value is crucial for creating a well-rounded recognition and rewards program.

  • Personal Growth

  • Achievement

  • Meaningful Work

  • Purpose

 

2. How do extrinsic rewards impact employee motivation?

group of people making agreement handshaking over map and money

 

Extrinsic rewards are the visible, often monetary forms of employee recognition. These include higher salaries, additional paid time off, or a heap of reward points provided by thankful team members. Your organization can’t afford to neglect these more obvious forms of appreciation despite the importance of intrinsic rewards. While exceptional culture and social recognition are vital, tangible indicators that your company values its employees are also necessary. Employee incentives like integrating your recognition platform to reward employees whenever they meet goals or offering incentives like mindfulness classes can help motivate and increase engagement.

  • Bonuses

  • Recognition

  • Promotions

  • Perks

 

3. What are the benefits of financial rewards in the workplace?

The Benefits of Monetary Rewards in the Workplace - HubEngage

 

Financial rewards are a universally valued type of employee rewards and incentives. Many extrinsic rewards fall into the financial category. Every employee appreciates monetary rewards like increased pay, bonuses, or gift cards. However, don’t limit financial incentives for employees to occasional rewards given by leadership. Expand this critical form of recognition with an employee rewards platform that includes a points-based rewards system. Employees receive points they can gift to others, who can then redeem them for personalized rewards they actually want.

  • Salary Increase

  • Cash Bonuses

  • Profit Sharing

  • Commissions

Stadium’s platform allows organizations to implement these incentives at scale, using Stadium Points and customizable shops to keep rewards personalized and effective.

 

4. Why are non-financial rewards critical to engagement?

Extrinsic Motivation In Online Training - eLearning Industry

 

Non-financial rewards offer emotional and social value, enhancing employee experience. These encompass extrinsic motivators like lunch with the CEO or flexibility in work arrangements, as well as intrinsic rewards in the form of social recognition. It is crucial to let employees know how much their work is appreciated through public recognition or simple messages. Enable all employees to provide recognition with an easy-to-use employee recognition platform whenever they deserve it.

  • Public Recognition

  • Time Off

  • Training Opportunities

  • Advancement

Stadium integrates Slack and Teams to enable in-the-moment recognition, helping organizations balance both monetary and non-monetary incentives.

 

5. What types of incentives work best in employee programs?

19 Proven Employee Incentive Programs To Elevate Your Workforce

 

Employee incentive programs should blend traditional and personalized types of incentives. These encompass all the benefits a company offers its employees. Today, employees expect organizations to surpass traditional incentives like retirement plans and health insurance. Personalized incentives tailored to their unique needs, such as tuition reimbursement or flexibility in choosing work projects, are crucial. Understanding the types of incentives your employees value through feedback can help design an effective incentive program that motivates and increases engagement.

  • Performance Bonuses

  • Referral Bonuses

  • Recognition Programs

  • Profit-Sharing

 

6. How do wellness-based rewards boost employee well-being?

111 Latest Employee Wellness Program Ideas That Work Wonders

 

Wellness-based rewards are a growing type of employee rewards that support mental and physical health. Rewards geared toward boosting employee wellness are a powerful way to help improve team members’ lives professionally and personally. Integrating your employee recognition platform with a wellness solution allows you to reward employees whenever they achieve their personal wellness goals. You can also encourage mental and physical wellness across your organization by offering incentives like mindfulness classes and gym memberships.

  • Gym Memberships

  • Wellness Challenges

  • Health Insurance Discounts

  • On-site Wellness Resources

Stadium clients like Workato have integrated wellness gifting into recognition shops, delivering high-impact engagement across teams.

 

7. What professional incentives drive career growth?

18 Employee Incentive Programs To Help You Engage Your Team

 

Career development incentives motivate employees by aligning recognition with personal growth. Investing in your employees’ professional growth can be a powerful incentive that boosts engagement and retention and fosters a culture of continuous learning. Career development incentives can take many forms, such as tuition reimbursement programs, access to online courses or certifications, mentorship opportunities, or even job shadowing experiences. By offering these incentives, you demonstrate your commitment to your employees’ long-term success and empower them to achieve their career aspirations within your organization.

 

8. Why do social and team-building rewards matter?

Importance of Team Building Benefits: 5 Benefits & 5 Advantages

 

Team-building rewards are an essential type of employee reward that foster culture and collaboration. Fostering a sense of camaraderie and collaboration within your workforce can profoundly impact employee morale and overall productivity. Social and team-building rewards, such as organized outings, team-building activities, or even simple social gatherings, allow colleagues to connect personally and strengthen their bonds.

  • Team Outings

  • Company Events

  • Team-building Activities

 

9. How do community-based incentives align with values?

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Community-based incentives appeal to employees’ sense of purpose and social responsibility. In today’s socially conscious business landscape, employees increasingly value companies prioritizing social responsibility and community engagement. Philanthropic or community-based incentives, such as volunteer opportunities, charitable donation matching programs, or even paid time off for community service, can effectively motivate and engage employees who share these values.

  • Volunteer Opportunities

  • Donations in Employee’s Name

  • Community Service Recognition

Elevate Your Incentive Program and Reward Employees with Stadium Shops

Ready to elevate your employee rewards and incentive program? Look no further than Stadium Shops, the premier employee gifting platform. With a wide range of branded swag options, global fulfillment capabilities, and dedicated swag experts, STADIUM makes it easy to reward your team with meaningful, personalized gifts that drive engagement and recognition. Book a call today to explore how we can craft a tailored rewards program that aligns with your company’s values and keeps your employees motivated and appreciated.

In today’s competitive landscape, a well-designed rewards and incentive program can be a game-changer for attracting and retaining top talent. By understanding the various types of rewards that resonate with your employees, you can create a comprehensive strategy that combines financial incentives, non-monetary perks, wellness initiatives, and personalized experiences. With Stadium as your trusted partner, you can stay ahead of the curve by rewarding your team with branded swag that elevates your company’s brand and fosters a culture of recognition and appreciation. Don’t wait – take action now and unlock the power of a motivated, engaged workforce.