The HeyTaco Blog

Ideas, research, and stories on peer recognition, employee engagement, and building stronger team culture.

5 Features of Recognition Programs Employees Actually Use
October 24, 2025 ยท Una Japundza
5 Features of Recognition Programs Employees Actually Use

What makes an employee recognition program stick? These 5 features: easy peer recognition, meaningful rewards, values tagging, and more.

Employee recognition
When Should You Add Rewards to a Recognition Program?
October 23, 2025 ยท Doug Dosberg
When Should You Add Rewards to a Recognition Program?

The short answer: you donโ€™t need to wait. What matters is how you frame rewards, not when they show up.

Employee recognitionEmployee rewards
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation in Employee Rewards
October 22, 2025 ยท HeyTaco
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation in Employee Rewards

Recognition is the real prize; rewards are just a bonus. Read about intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in creating a valuable employee rewards strategy.

Employee recognitionEmployee rewards
How to Plan Your Employee Recognition Budget for Next Year
October 20, 2025 ยท Una Japundza
How to Plan Your Employee Recognition Budget for Next Year

What do employees think about expensive gifts? Find out as HeyTaco shares several essential tips for planning your employee recognition budget for next year.

Employee recognition
How to Write a Performance Self-Review: Examples, Tips, & Benefits
October 17, 2025 ยท Una Japundza
How to Write a Performance Self-Review: Examples, Tips, & Benefits

Itโ€™s not bragging if itโ€™s the truth! Learn ways to back up your achievements for a performance self-review with examples, tips, and handy HeyTaco features.

Make Work Better
10 Holiday Team Building Activities & Party Ideas
October 13, 2025 ยท Una Japundza
10 Holiday Team Building Activities & Party Ideas

Festivities falling a little flat? Too few RSVPs for the company party? Get employees pumped for the season with some holiday team-building activities.

Employee engagementEmployee rewards
Micro-Moments That Build Culture: Small Team Rituals with Big Impact
October 1, 2025 ยท Una Japundza
Micro-Moments That Build Culture: Small Team Rituals with Big Impact

How does your company plan to pay back its culture debt? Learn how team rituals can incrementally build culture through positive, authentic micro-moments.

Company cultureEmployee engagement
Lighten Up! How Fun Team Rituals Can Boost Productivity
September 25, 2025 ยท Una Japundza
Lighten Up! How Fun Team Rituals Can Boost Productivity

To-do lists and progress updates dominating your work habits? Create rituals and see productivity benefit from camaraderie, relatability, and lower stress.

Company cultureEmployee engagement
From Standups to Celebrations: Designing Team Habits That Last
September 22, 2025 ยท Una Japundza
From Standups to Celebrations: Designing Team Habits That Last

What habits truly create belonging in the workplace? Gather round as HeyTaco talks about designing team rituals and how to update some older ones.

Company cultureEmployee engagement
Cracks in the Culture: What Quiet Cracking Isโ€”and How We Can Stop It
September 19, 2025 ยท Una Japundza
Cracks in the Culture: What Quiet Cracking Isโ€”and How We Can Stop It

Everyone has an off day, but whatโ€™s going on when it turns into an off week or month? Find out more about quiet cracking at work and how to patch it up.

Company cultureEmployee engagement
Belonging in the Workplace: What the Research Says
September 17, 2025 ยท Una Japundza
Belonging in the Workplace: What the Research Says

What happens when employees donโ€™t feel like they can be themselves? Get research-backed insights and advice for advancing belonging in the workplace.

Company cultureEmployee engagement
Why Does HeyTaco Have Giving and Receiving Leaderboards?
September 16, 2025 ยท Una Japundza
Why Does HeyTaco Have Giving and Receiving Leaderboards?

Explore the importance of HeyTaco's dual leaderboards in fostering a balanced culture of recognition, enhancing morale, and creating an engaged workplace.

Best practicesEmployee engagementEmployee recognition