What is Employee Appreciation
Employee appreciation is the intentional act of recognizing and celebrating people for their contributions, effort, and impact at work.
It can be as simple as a heartfelt "thank you" or as elaborate as a custom reward—but the goal is always the same: help people feel seen and valued.
Appreciation isn't a perk—it's a powerful strategy for building trust, engagement, and culture.
Why Employee Appreciation Matters
Employees who feel appreciated:
- Are more productive
- Stay longer
- Collaborate better
- Burn out less
And yet, appreciation is often treated as a one-off event—like Employee Appreciation Day or an annual awards ceremony.
That's not enough.
People thrive on timely, genuine recognition. They don't want to wait until review season to know they're doing a good job.
Examples of Employee Appreciation
These messages work because they're specific, timely, and sincere:
- "Thanks for leading the client call today—you were confident, clear, and prepared."
- "You stayed calm and supportive when things got messy. That's real leadership."
- "Appreciate the way you onboarded the new hire—you made them feel right at home."
Small messages. Big impact.
Employee Appreciation vs. Recognition
The terms are related—but they're not the same:
| Recognition | Appreciation |
|---|---|
| Tied to results or outcomes | Tied to effort, attitude, or values |
| Often public or formal | Can be informal and personal |
| Usually from managers | Can come from anyone |
| Performance-focused | TPeople-focused |
Great cultures practice both.
How HeyTaco Makes Employee Appreciation Easy
HeyTaco gives teams a lightweight, joyful way to express appreciation every day.
- Give a taco with a personal message
- Celebrate people for how they work, not just what they do
- Use values and stickers to reinforce the right behaviors
- Broadcast wins with Taco TV
- Track how appreciation flows across your team
No forms. No approval process. Just tacos and heartfelt words.
Try This
Want to show more appreciation today?
- Give a shoutout for behind-the-scenes effort
- Recognize someone who helped you this week
- Send a taco with a note that starts: "I noticed..."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is employee appreciation?
Employee appreciation is the act of recognizing people for their work, effort, and contributions. It helps build connection, trust, and motivation within a team or company.
Why is employee appreciation important?
Because it makes people feel valued. When employees feel appreciated, they're more engaged, productive, and loyal.
How do you show appreciation at work?
The best appreciation is specific, timely, and sincere. It can be verbal, written, public, private—or a taco-powered message with HeyTaco.
Make Employee Appreciation Part of Your Culture
Don't wait for an annual review to say thanks. Make recognition part of your team's everyday rhythm.
Try HeyTaco free or learn how it works
