Death of the Christmas hamper? | Incentive & Motivation

Traditional Christmas rewards such as wine, food and Christmas parties have fallen out of favour among the majority of UK employees who say they would prefer employers to show their appreciation by letting them choose the reward they get, according to new research from Edenred.

The findings drawn from surveys among employers and employees published today in a new report “The Big Red Report – Motivating and engaging employees with end-of-year rewards” show that:
• Only 5% of employees said a gift of food or wine was the best way for their employer to recognise their hard work through the year.

• While 10% said they wanted a Christmas Party, 70% said that getting vouchers or cash which lets them choose their ultimate reward was the best way for employers
to show their appreciation.
• Employers are failing to keep track of what employees want with only one in ten (11%) saying they had asked people would they would like to receive.
• Half of employers (51%) leave decisions about Christmas reward until the last minute in November or December.
• Only one in four (25%) employers have a plan for managing the Christmas reward process.

Andy Philpott, sales and marketing director at Edenred said: “Our research shows that Christmas reward and recognition is a tradition that is highly valued by both employees and employers. By taking a little more time to consider the kind of reward each employee would most value delivered through as a personal thank you, employers could increase the motivation impact and performance ROI from their end of year rewards.

Talking to employees about what they want, taking time to plan end of year reward and putting the act of recognition at the heart of the process should be three priorities for any organisation which wants to ensure their Christmas reward leaves their employees feeling appreciated through this end of year gesture of thanks.”