Working from home, whether a few days a week or on a permanent basis, has proven beneficial for both employees and managers. A better work-life balance and a healthier lifestyle are certainly at the top of the charts here.
However, working outside the office has some disadvantages, such as reduced physical interaction, and feelings of isolation and disconnect. As Gallup research points out, the emerging hybrid and remote workplace presents a mixed picture when it comes to employee engagement.
So, how can we proactively build engagement with remote employees? The short answer is through recognition.
And we’ve got some great ideas for gifts for work from home employees!
Let’s dive right in.
The Art of Recognizing Remote Employees
According to statistics, 27% of employees in the US work remotely – and the numbers show no signs of slowing down. In fact, they’re expected to climb in 2024 and beyond. By 2025, 36.2 million workers in the US alone are expected to be part of a remote workforce.
As these numbers keep growing, managers and business leaders are faced with the challenge of coming up with new and innovative ways to keep employees engaged. The problem is, according to Gallup, remote workers can feel less connected to company goals. In this sense, recognition and praise through tangible personalized gifts can be a powerful engagement catalyzed.
Find out more about how you can use the impact of rewards to fuel employee motivation here.
5 Work From Home Gifts for Employees
Acknowledging the hard work of your remote employees through gifts that lift the spirits and increase engagement is a great idea.
Consider giving your employees practical gifts that enhance the work from home experience – and boost productivity!
1. A Taskmaster Timer
Introduce the Pomodoro Technique to your remote team through a tiny ticking gadget called the taskmaster timer. The Pomodoro Technique is a method developed by Italian entrepreneur Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It involves splitting work into intervals of 25 minutes in length, separated by short 5-minute breaks.
With a taskmaster timer, your workers can set the alarm to signal the end of each Pomodoro interval. This is a great way to help them stay on track with work sessions and breaks.
2. Gift Cards
This is a classic that’s perfect for a remote wellness strategy! Because even if you are managing a remote team, there’s no reason why you can’t help the team stay healthy. If you’re getting burnout vibes, send your employees a digital gift card to kick off their wellness journey.
Of course, wellness can mean different things to different people. For some, it's a gym pass; for others, a half-day at the spa is enough to recharge those performance batteries. Give your team members the power of choice with a wellness-oriented gift card that allows them to tailor the experience to their preferences.
You can learn loads more about how to incorporate gift cards into your rewards strategy here.
3. House Plants
According to research, plants have the power to transform a workplace, let alone a home office. In fact, one study from Washington State University shows that a single houseplant can boost productivity by 12%!
Before you send off that fern to your favorite remote worker, consider a few things. Does your employee have pets? Dogs are allergic to a number of plants, including some types of ferns. And philodendrons can potentially be toxic to cats.
You need to make sure that the plant you’re sending won’t pose a risk to their furry little companions. Consider a pet-friendly spider plant or a big-leaved peperomia instead.
4. A High-Quality Webcam
Is one of your team members having trouble connecting their webcam every time you’re on a Zoom call? Maybe a new excellent webcam can solve the problem.
According to TechRadar, the new cams from Logitech top the list in several categories with crystal-clear HD video and effective noise reduction. Do a little more research and you’re sure to find a world of webcam tech suitable for your recognition budget.
5. Noise-canceling Headphones
When it comes to office tech, there’s no shortage of ideas for a cool employee gift. For remote workers, noise-canceling headphones are great for helping them stay focused and productive – blocking out all the typical home-office distractions. Plus, it’s a gadget they can enjoy all day long, even when they’re not working.
Keeping up With Remote Team Morale
The important thing about remote employee recognition is to make the team feel just as valued as your employees in-house. Appreciation gifts for work from home employees can work wonders for motivation and morale.
And in turn, they will ensure consistent levels of productivity that contribute to the company's success.
About GoGift
GoGift, a leading global provider of gift card solutions, specializes in offering innovative and versatile gift card services to over 15.000 corporate clients worldwide. With a commitment to simplifying the gift-giving process, GoGift provides a broad range of gift card options from numerous popular brands, catering to a diverse array of tastes and preferences. Their services are designed to enhance the gifting experience, making it more convenient, personal, and enjoyable for both the giver and the recipient.
For more detailed information about GoGift, please visit their official website: https://www.global.gogift.com/