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17 employee incentive program ideas to reward your workforce

Last updated: December 2, 2024

Employees are the heart of any business, and recognizing their contributions is essential for maintaining progress and engagement. An effective employee incentive program can help you reward your team regularly. But where should you start, and how can you choose the best incentives?

Whether you’re looking for employee incentive program ideas to reward your team or searching for examples to follow, this article has everything you need to get started. We’ll walk you through proven strategies that drive motivation and share insights to help you design an incentive program that suits your organization’s unique needs.

What are employee incentive programs?

Employee incentive programs are initiatives that recognize employees for their hard work and achievements, going beyond the regular paycheck. These programs are customized to show appreciation in ways that resonate with employees. When done right, they positively affect the work environment, fostering a sense of worth and engagement.


The value of employee incentive programs


Building a strong case for employee incentives is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits:

Boosting employee engagement

Engaged employees make an organization successful, but reaching each individual isn’t always easy. Everyone has a lot on their plate, and something new always competes for their attention. Incentives can help keep employees involved and focused.

According to a Nectar survey, 82% of employees agree that being recognized for their contributions increases their engagement. This establishes a clear link between incentives and engagement that every company can benefit from.

Enhancing productivity

It’s no secret that productivity is a big factor in whether any goal is met, but a Zippia study shows that only 7% of employees say they feel productive in the workplace. Many people struggle to navigate distractions; incentives can keep them moving in the right direction.

For some positions, like sales roles, rewards tied to measurable objectives can make the most sense. This can incentivize employees to do their best work and reach important goals faster. Learn more about this in our article “Sales incentive ideas to motivate your team.”

Improving workplace culture

Managing company culture can be especially challenging in remote or hybrid work environments. However, recognizing employees’ contributions and offering meaningful incentives can foster a positive, professional atmosphere.

In fact, a Gallup study found that employees are 57% less likely to experience burnout when they receive valuable feedback from their peers. This highlights the importance of connection and engagement in creating a happier, more cohesive workforce.

Attracting and retaining talent

People are more selective than ever about where they choose to work. To get the best of the best on your team, you have to show potential employees that you’re committed to providing a great experience. This also has a massive impact on retention.

Employees are more likely to stay with a company that recognizes their efforts. When recognition is lacking, employees may seek opportunities elsewhere, making a culture of appreciation key to keeping great talent onboard.

Tapping into Uber for Business to expand employee benefits across travel, commuting, and workplace meals is part of Citadel’s ongoing effort to foster a strong culture and take care of its employees.

17 employee incentive program ideas

Ready to implement an incentive program? Below are 17 ideas to get you started.

1. Team events or retreats

Organize memorable events to bring employees together, fostering stronger relationships and boosting morale when teams perform well.

2. Meals

Fuel your employees with catered meals or offer them meal vouchers. Whether in-office or remote, customized meal options are always appreciated.

3. Gift cards or vouchers

Give top performers gift cards or vouchers, allowing them the flexibility to choose a reward that resonates with their personal preferences. This approach ensures that incentives feel more meaningful and tailored to each employee’s unique interests.

4. Travel

Provide travel incentives like airline tickets, hotel stays, or bucket-list trips as performance-based rewards or to celebrate annual milestones.

5. Additional time off

Reward employees with extra paid time off or company-wide holidays, giving them a chance to recharge and avoid burnout.

6. Flexible schedule

A flexible schedule lets employees work when they’re most productive. If your organization can accommodate that, your top performers are sure to appreciate it. As long as work is done and targets are met, consider letting your people decide when they work.

7. Hybrid-friendly work environment

Offer hybrid or remote work options as a performance-based reward. This incentive meets evolving workforce needs.

8. Mentorship

Help ambitious employees grow by pairing them with mentors for professional development.

9. Courses

Cover the cost of educational courses or certifications that align with employees’ career goals.

10. Choice of projects

Allow high achievers to select projects that spark their interest, fostering autonomy and engagement.

11. Personal fitness and wellness programs

Support employees’ health goals by offering gym memberships, yoga classes, or wellness perks.

12. Raises

Reward exceptional work with salary increases, showing employees that their contributions are recognized and valued.

13. Bonuses

Want to offer one-off rewards for excellence? Try giving bonuses after periods of hard work. You might add a bonus, for example, after a team completes work on a difficult project or after a busy season for your organization.

14. Commissions

Incentivize your sales team by offering commissions on successful sales, driving both individual and company success.

15. Referrals

Reward employees for successfully referring candidates for open roles, helping you quickly find the talent you need.

16. Profit sharing

The bottom line isn’t a concern only for the C-suite. Increase the organizational focus on profit by tying company growth and profit to incentives. When the company does well, everyone wins and benefits from the gains.

17. Donations

Looking for a different type of reward with far-reaching impact? Make donations to causes your team is passionate about or sponsor volunteer time at organizations they support. Incentives that give back show a connection to your employees’ beliefs and values.

Best practices for employee incentive programs

Once you’ve selected the incentives that best fit your organization, keep these best practices in mind:

Give frequent recognition

Don’t reward only the big milestones with your employee incentive program. Consider all the opportunities you have to acknowledge achievements, give praise, and express ongoing gratitude. Recognizing contributions early and often reinforces productivity and boosts morale.

Prioritize inclusivity and fairness

Make sure your incentive program is designed to motivate all employees across the organization. An inclusive program that respects diverse perspectives and needs can boost engagement and adoption. The incentives should be accessible and attainable to everyone in your workforce.

Collect feedback

Check in with employees throughout the year to get their thoughts on what's working and what’s not. Creating a feedback loop allows you to keep an eye on engagement levels and address issues quickly. You can create this loop through one-on-one conversations or more formal methods, like regular surveys.

Be transparent

Keep your employees notified about any changes and notable results. Sharing successes demonstrates the incentive program's positive impact. This also can build trust in the program and company leadership.

Plan for the long term

Incentive programs should evolve over time. As business needs and employee motivations change, refresh the program to match. That will allow you to keep pace with industry standards and offer compelling incentives that truly effect change.

Build the perfect employee incentive program with help from Uber for Business

Uber for Business offers an easy way to give back to your employees. Our web-based platform makes it simple to distribute and manage incentives like gift cards and vouchers.

Gift cards: Reward your employees for their hard work with the gift of Uber rides and Uber Eats. Gift cards can be purchased in bulk across multiple countries around the world, so you can reach employees in many locations.*

Vouchers: Show your team you appreciate them by paying fully or partially for rides with Uber and orders with Uber Eats. Voucher campaigns can easily be created and managed in just a few steps, and you pay when the recipient redeems their offer.

All the advantages of Uber that your employees already love, for business

*Gift cards in US dollars are issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A.

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