#1 Guide to Employee Appreciation Messages In 2025

‍What are employee appreciation messages

Employee appreciation is a practice of thanking and showing gratitude to your employees. It can take many forms, from employee recognition to employee gifts, employee appreciation messages, and so on!

Employee appreciation messages are emails, handwritten notes, or feedback sent to an employee from the company, a supervisor, a manager, or a coworker. These messages allow employers and teammates to express their gratitude very explicitly. 

Companies appreciate their employees for all they do, and employee appreciation messages allow them to thank their entire team verbally or let them know how much they contribute to the company's success.

Why are employee appreciation messages important?

Employee recognition and appreciation messages are important because they lead to employee engagement and increase business productivity. Fostering employee engagement and employee retention is one of the top priorities, and employee appreciation messages can help you achieve these goals. More specifically, show your employees that they are valuable assets to your company and that you care for them as people, not just workers.

You could write an employee appreciation message for someone who was a huge help during a big project or send one to a team member who took on a difficult task without being asked and handled it excellently. Sometimes, it is important to also write appreciation messages to employees who've never had the honor of doing anything extraordinary. On the other hand, employees slogging along are doing great work consistently without it being noticed. For instance, an employee appreciation day message could express your sincerest thanks for a year of supporting the company's values and culture.

Additionally, on National Employee Appreciation Day, you could send employee recognition and appreciation quotes to those who have worked hard continuously. To make the message more meaningful, you can include good morning messages or kudos from the executive team or colleagues to show support and boost morale. By showing your employees that they are appreciated and cared for, you will see an increase in productivity and loyalty among your team. Employee appreciation messages are thus essential for a successful business.

Statistics on employee appreciation messages

Recognized employees are 6x more likely to be engaged at work, have increased productivity and commitment towards their employer, improved morale, and have better retention rates. In addition, office staff that receives praise in appreciation notes have a more positive attitude and better morale. Here is some more data related to employee appreciation messages:

• Over 65% of employees report feeling unrecognized at work. 
• 50% of employees believe being thanked by managers improved their relationships and built trust with their higher-ups.
• If employees believe they will be recognized, they are 2x more likely to be highly engaged, according to Quantum Workplace's 2020 Employee Engagement Trends Report.

The easiest way to implement an employee recognition program is to start thanking employees regularly for what they do on the job!

Fostering engagement with employee appreciation messages 

The key to fostering employee engagement lies in communication. Employee appreciation messages can be one of your most effective tools in increasing engagement among your workforce. If your employees know they are valued, they will feel more empowered to put their best foot forward when doing their jobs. Resulting in continued success, increased productivity, and better organizational results. 

Use employee appreciation messages to foster engagement, send them regularly, and send them as soon as possible after the employee has done something to benefit your company. Be specific with your praise. Here are some examples of practical employee appreciation ideas:

• Send an email thanking them for something specific they've done over the past several days. Make sure it is heartfelt. Try to avoid sounding like a robot! Share how their effort helps out the entire team.
• Employee appreciation days, where employees get to dress down, take a day off work, or have lunch brought in by management, can be an excellent time to send thoughtful employee recognition and appreciation messages. 
• Sending a "textless" anniversary card that shows a save the date for a special dinner or other surprise activity can also serve as an employee appreciation message while still being surprising and fun! Or consider sending congratulations via employee appreciation messages for employee anniversaries, birthdays, or National Employee Appreciation Day. 

There are many ways to send great employee appreciation messages, but take your time thinking about it! Just be sure your team knows they're appreciated for their excellent work, extra effort, and positive attitude.

Employee appreciation messages software

An abundance of employee recognition software on the market is designed specifically to help manage employee engagement and performance through effective employee motivation strategies. Such as sending regular staff appreciation text messages. When used correctly, this kind of employee motivation software can become a powerful employee management tool, helping managers send employee appreciation messages more quickly and efficiently.

For instance, Matter (which seamlessly integrates into Slack and Teams) makes sending appreciation words almost automatic and effectively encourages team members to give each other constructive and positive feedback. Tellinga, another virtual messaging software, allows you to design custom greeting cards to send to your employees.

Staff recognition message ideas

Staff recognition messages are a great way to say thank you, recognize good work, and improve employee morale. They don't have to be elaborate or expensive, even the simplest employee appreciation note can make someone's day! The best staff appreciation messages are sincere, thoughtful, and personal. Employee appreciation quotes can inspire you if you get stuck, but honestly, an appreciation message doesn't have to be fancy! If your team members receive an email with the company letterhead thanking them for their hard work, it might look something like this: 

"Dear Susan - We want to thank you for all of your efforts at XXXX over the last few months. You've done a fantastic job backing up Matt while he was out on paternity leave! We appreciate your dedication and hard work. We hope you have a great weekend!"

When employee appreciation messages are made in-person or on employee handbooks and company newsletters, the employee appreciation message looks more like this: 

"Hi Susan, I just want to say thanks for all your help with XXXX lately. Matt told me how much he appreciated your help while he was out on leave, you really saved the day. So thank you! We really appreciate everything you do here." 

Employees typically respond better to face-to-face employee appreciation messages rather than email employee recognition messages, because they feel more sincere and personalized. Or, to make an employee appreciation message particularly special, consider sending it on expensive stationery in a special envelope.

Showing gratitude through employee appreciation messages 

Employee recognition and appreciation messages are important because they lead to employee engagement and increase business productivity. Fostering employee engagement and employee retention is one of the top priorities, and employee appreciation messages can help you achieve these goals. More specifically, show your employees that they are valuable assets to your company and that you care for them as people, not just workers.

You might want to write an employee appreciation message for someone who was a huge help during a big project or send one to a team member who took on a difficult task without being asked and handled it excellently. Sometimes, it is important to also write appreciation messages to employees who've never had the honor of doing anything extraordinary. On the other hand, employees slogging along are doing great work consistently without it being noticed. For instance, an employee appreciation day message could express your sincerest thanks for a year of supporting the company's values and culture.

Additionally, on National Employee Appreciation Day, you could send employee recognition and appreciation quotes to those who have worked hard continuously. To make the message more meaningful, you can include good morning messages from the executive team or colleagues to show support and boost morale. By showing your employees that they are appreciated and cared for, you will see an increase in productivity and loyalty among your team. Employee appreciation messages are thus essential for a successful business. 

Strategies for sending multiple types of employee appreciation messages 

There are many strategies for sending multiple types of employee appreciation messages. To start, it is essential to recognize a job well done with an appropriate message. For example, a simple "Thank you" or "Great job!" can show your employees that you appreciate their hard work and dedication. Additionally, offering an incentive such as gift cards or small tokens of appreciation will show your employees that their efforts have been noticed and appreciated.

Happy work anniversaries are an excellent opportunity to express appreciation for longtime employees. Sending personalized messages or gifs is a perfect way to make them feel valued and recognized for their years of service. Additionally, consider providing additional perks such as time off or gifts to show appreciation.

For those looking for more creative ways to express appreciation, consider utilizing a kudos gif or an awards and recognition platform like Matter to make award distribution easy. Gifting employees with small items such as coffee mugs or t-shirts is a great way to recognize their efforts and show that you care about their success. Furthermore, setting up an employee appreciation day or hosting team lunches is a great way to show your employees that you value their contributions.

By utilizing these strategies, employers can create a positive environment for their employees and ensure they feel valued and appreciated. Additionally, implementing an awards and recognition program is an excellent way to increase employee satisfaction and loyalty.

9+ examples of inspiring employee appreciation messages 

Here are 10 examples of inspiring employee appreciation messages to give praise:

1. 🤩 You continuously exceed expectations - thank you for all the hard work you put in!
2. 😊 Your enthusiasm for success is inspiring; thank you for staying positive and making a difference!
3. 👍 Your dedication and attention to detail are appreciated – thank you so much for your commitment!
4. 🔥 Thanks again for constantly pushing yourself above and beyond – it's been great watching your progress!
5. ✨ Your contributions have made this project what it is today – thank you so much for all you've done!
6. 🤗 Everyone learns from your example of excellence; I'm very thankful to have someone like you on the team!
7. ⭐️ You never settle for less than perfect; thanks again for your efforts and attention to detail!
8. 🙌 When things get tough, I know I can count on you – thank you so much for helping me out when I need it most!
9. 💯 The passion and creativity you bring to each task are incredible; thanks for all you do every day!
10. 😁 Your hard work has paid off in spades – congratulations, and thanks again from the bottom of my heart!

10 ideas for employee appreciation messages on employee appreciation day 

1. Make sure to celebrate employee milestones: Send a Happy Work Anniversary message! Employee anniversaries are a great way to show appreciation for their loyalty and hard work.
2. Provide meaningful employee feedback: Show that you value their contributions in the workplace. Feedback helps employees stay focused and motivated, so make sure it's thoughtful and timely.
3. Show your appreciation for your employees: Say "Thank You"! A simple gesture of gratitude can go a long way toward making happy employees out of those you work with.
4. Get creative with addressing employee appreciation messages by using the recipient's name in the salutation! A personalized and heartfelt message can be a great way to show your appreciation.
5. Express your admiration for the employee's work: Send them a kudos. Recognizing it appropriately lets them know how much you appreciate their dedication and hard work.
6. Encourage employees to follow their passions: Share employee recognition quotes on the employee appreciation day. Quotes can be a great way to motivate and inspire employees to do their best work.
7. Let your team know how much they mean to you: Create an employee appreciation video! A short kudos gif showcasing each individual's impact on the company will make everyone smile.
8. Give employees a simple token of appreciation: Consider sending them a kudos card. This is a great way to show gratitude and allow employees to purchase something they may need in the workplace or home.
9. Put together employee appreciation kits or gift baskets: Fill them with goodies to make them feel special! Think of snacks, coffee mugs, office supplies, and more.
10. Make a big impact on Employee Appreciation Day: Throw an office party! This is a great way to show your employees how much you appreciate them and allow everyone to let loose and have some fun.

By creating creative ways of showing appreciation, you can demonstrate to your employees that their hard work and dedication are seen and valued. So, on Employee Appreciation Day, take the time to recognize those you work with for their hard work and dedication!

How to incorporate employee appreciation messages into company gifts 

Employee appreciation gifts with personalized messages are a great way to show your employees that you care. For example, a simple statement like "Dear Employee Name, Job Well Done!" can show how much you appreciate their hard work and positive attitude. You can also incorporate employee appreciation messages into company gifts by recognizing employees for specific achievements or milestones. For example, if an employee goes above and beyond in their duties, a special gift with a message that acknowledges their accomplishment can be given.

Another creative way to incorporate employee appreciation messages into company gifts is to attach personalized notes. These heartfelt messages can show your employees how much you truly value them and their contributions to the team. Moreover, customized letters offer an opportunity to share how proud you are of the employee's efforts and can make the gift more special. Finally, incorporating kudos messages into company gifts is a great way to express your appreciation for employees without breaking the bank!

Consider sending kudos with a gift card to your remote employees. This shows that you value their contributions from any location and is a great way to recognize them for their hard work. A thoughtful message like "Dear Employee Name, Your positive attitude has been an inspiration all year!" can help show your employees how much they are valued and appreciated. Incorporating employee appreciation messages into company gifts creatively can help strengthen the bond between your business and employees.

By expressing gratitude for their hard work and dedication, you can show your appreciation for your employees and create a positive atmosphere in the workplace. Incorporating employee appreciation messages into company gifts is a great way to reward valuable team members and let them know their hard work does not go unnoticed. Doing so thoughtfully and creatively shows how much you appreciate your employees and strengthens the bond between your business and employees.

Final tips on employee appreciation messages

• Use employee appreciation messages to congratulate an employee for a special occasion. Some ideas: a work anniversary, when they’ve accepted a promotion, or have received five-star feedback from a customer.
• Keep employee appreciation messages short and meaningful. If you can't think of exactly what to say, try including a well-chosen employee appreciation quote!
• Make employee recognition and employee appreciation messaging fun by sending funny memes with your employee recognition notes. You can also use emojis to brighten things up!
• Reply to any replies that employees make when they get your employee appreciation message, so you can maintain contact even after the initial send. 

Finally, remember that employee appreciation messages don't always have to be written down. By actually spending time with your employee, you can show that employee appreciation and employee recognition come from the heart. Consider getting together with them for a coffee break or lunch, or taking them out for drinks after work so they know how much you appreciate their good work and dedication. As long as employee appreciation messages are sincere, they will not only garner employee engagement but also foster positive employee morale!

Would employee appreciation messages help your team culture? Create a meaningful team culture with recognition, celebrations, and rewards — all inside Slack or Microsoft Teams. Get started for free by adding Matter to your workspace!