Celebrating Employee Success and Improving Engagement and Retention

Engaged and motivated workers are key to a company’s success. Prioritizing your appreciation and celebrating the achievements of in-office and remote employees equally can boost morale and create a positive culture, increasing job satisfaction and retention. A recent Robert Half survey found 79% of professionals feel adequately recognized by their manager, highlighting the significant impact of acknowledgment on employee satisfaction. By celebrating successes, companies can move toward ensuring their employees feel valued and appreciated—an essential component for sustaining a productive and happy workplace.

Professionals have shared what types of recognition motivate them to do their best work. In a recent Robert Half survey, 45% of employees said they appreciate small tokens of appreciation like gift cards or company swag. Forty-four percent are motivated by extra time off or flexible hours, while  41% value increased schedule flexibility. Additionally, 40% find verbal praise during one-on-one meetings to be highly motivating. By incorporating these types of recognition, companies can create a fun and engaging environment that encourages employees to excel and feel truly appreciated.

With Administrative Professionals Day 2025 on the horizon—it’s April 23 this year—this is a great time for expressing your gratitude for their evolving, multidisciplinary competencies that make them indispensable in today’s workplace. Here are five ways to do it.

5 ways to show your gratitude

1. Celebrate important milestones. Gather your team, whether in person or virtually, to recognize achievements. If you're having office festivities with food, make sure to arrange for treats to be delivered to your remote colleagues too.

2. Publicize wins. Acknowledge employees' contributions with a certificate or an email, and make sure to copy key team members. Give shout-outs during team meetings or award ceremonies to celebrate their achievements. Highlight top performers in the company newsletter to give them even more exposure.

3. Give the gift of time. Consult with your HR and legal departments for this one and, if approved, encourage team members to log off early after completing a big project and offer additional time off or extra vacation days for jobs well done.

4. Provide new opportunities. Invite employees to mentor others and introduce new leaders to management. Interview and promote from within and encourage team members to pursue professional development within and outside the company.

5. Offer a monetary reward. Award a one-time bonus or financial incentive to individuals or teams who meet specific goals.

By celebrating employee success in fun and meaningful ways, you'll create a vibrant and positive work environment where everyone feels valued and motivated. Whether it's through small tokens of appreciation, extra time off or public shout-outs, these gestures go a long way in boosting morale and engagement. Let’s keep the celebrations going and make every achievement a reason to party!

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