27 employee appreciation messages and the meaning behind them

There are so many opportunities to say thanks at work, from a team member bringing in a great new coffee blend to a coworker going above and beyond on their latest project. Employee appreciation messages can make the difference between a motivated, high performing workforce and one that’s disengaged and looking for opportunities elsewhere. The best messages include specific details, come from the heart, and are delivered using a platform that allows other employees to double down on the initial message.

If you’re trying to find the right words to show your appreciation for a team member, or if you’re looking for examples of the many ways you can make recognition a daily occurrence at your company, you’ve come to the right place. Take a look at these 27 employee appreciation messages and the reason each matters.

1. Saying thanks with reward points

Thanks so much for the incredible work getting this deal over the finish line! Spend these points on something great — you deserve it!

How can you make your message of appreciation really impactful? Couple a personalized message with a gift of reward points the recipient can spend on anything from a prepaid credit card to a vacation they’re always wanted to go on. With an employee rewards platform, you and your colleagues can give and receive these points every month.

2. Letting a team member know you appreciate their help

I was so swamped last week, I don’t know what I would have done without your help. You’re amazing!

If a coworker has made your life easier in some way, don’t hesitate to tell them how grateful you are. Whether you’re in office or working remotely, it’s a great way to build trust and camaraderie among your team.

3. Following up after a fun team-building activity

It’s been so fun having virtual coffee and catching up with everyone — thanks for making it happen, Cheryl!

Team-building activities are a fantastic way to have some fun and get to know your team members better. If you’ve had a good time with coworkers recently, don’t forget to say thanks to whoever made it happen.

4. Showing appreciation for flexibility and work-life balance

So much gratitude for my amazing manager! The flexibility to work from home has been truly life-changing!

Every employee craves a healthy work-life balance, and with the new normal of hybrid and remote work, it’s easier than ever for team members to choose when and where they get the job done. If you’ve been enjoying some much-needed flexibility lately, show some appreciation for it!

5. Recognizing someone’s hard work

Keeping everything organized during this transition wasn’t easy, but you sure made it look that way. Cheers to Lisa, our project management queen!

Engaged team members who give their all on a daily basis don’t grow on trees, so don’t neglect to recognize them for their superb effort. This encourages them to stay motivated and calls them out as an example for other employees to follow.

6. Appreciating professional development opportunities

Lacy, I feel so valued and inspired thanks to the amazing onboarding and continuous training over my first three months here. Take my points!

Today’s workforce isn’t just looking for a paycheck. They want opportunities to learn new skills, take on new challenges, and advance in their careers. If your organization takes talent development seriously, messages like these will start flying left and right.

7. Calling out exceptional employee performance

Everyone needs to give a huge round of virtual applause to CJ, who just synthesized six months of metrics into a five-minute, crystal-clear presentation for our amazing CMO! So proud to have you on my team.

Better employee performance leads to better organizational performance, and what gets recognized gets repeated, so show appreciation to team members whenever they excel in big or small ways.

8. Doubling down on messages of appreciation

Big plus one on that. Thanks for being our data wizard, CJ!

Sharing messages of appreciation encourages others to get in on the action, especially with an easy-to-use employee recognition platform everyone can access. The more you recognize others, the closer your organization is to a real culture of appreciation.

9. Giving a shout out to a transparent leader

Can’t say enough good things about how transparent Brian has been as our team navigates this merger. I’ve never been through a process like this with so little stress and so much excitement!

Honesty and transparency are traits every employee appreciates in an organization and its leadership. Taking the time to thank team members who communicate transparently is always worthwhile.

10. Saying thank you for something delicious

Wow — I wasn’t expecting to find a basket of my favorite snacks outside my door this morning! Thanks for making my week, Alyssa!

Everyone loves an unexpected treat, whether it’s an ice-cold Americano or a box of gourmet chocolates. When someone’s taken the time to find out what you find tasty and then give you some, it’s time to show some appreciation.

11. Congratulating a team member on their birthday

Happy birthday, Julie! I hope it’s filled with joyful surprises!

It might seem like a small gesture, but people really appreciate it when their coworkers remember their birthday. Congratulate them and consider having the team celebrate the occasion with a gift or two as well.

12. Commemorating a coworker’s years of service

3 years! I can’t believe it! So thankful for all that you do for us, and looking forward to all the anniversaries to come!

Work anniversaries matter, and employees notice when they only receive a cursory acknowledgement — or worse, when the milestone is forgotten altogether. Thank team members for their years of service with your organization, encourage others to do likewise, and consider setting up a program dedicated to making years of service awards unforgettable.

13. Sharing a message of appreciation for great coaching

Evan, your patience and guidance as I grow into my new responsibilities is appreciated more than I can say. Thank you!

Think back on all the managers you’ve had. Chances are those you remember fondly acted more like a mentor than a traditional boss, providing you with the support you needed without micromanaging or undermining you. When you’ve got a manager who knows the importance of coaching, thank them for it.

14. Rejoining an organization as a boomerang employee

I’m so glad to rejoin the team after a five-year adventure away (was it really that long)? Thanks especially to Harry and Janice for welcoming me back with open arms — looking forward to doing great things together again!

Boomerang employees — those who return to a previous employer after some time elsewhere — offer the skills their former company needs, combined with knowledge of its processes and culture. Whether it’s showing appreciation for the returning employee’s contributions or that employee saying thanks in turn, the rehiring of an old hand is always cause for celebration.

15. Recognizing a team member’s personal milestone

Thanks to Kelsey for the delicious cream puffs, and congratulations to Maryanne on graduating at the top of her class!

Recognition shouldn’t be limited to professional milestones and accomplishments. When something worth recognizing happens in a valued team member’s personal life, like a wedding or a child graduating from school, reach out to recognize it and show that you really care about them.

16. Saying congrats to an employee of the month

Shout out to Giselle for being voted our newest employee of the month! Your teammates want you to know you’re one-of-a-kind!

Whatever the criteria are for an employee of the month award at your company, receiving it is something to take note of. Enjoy the kudos when you’re the recipient and provide them to others when they accept the honor.

17. Publicly recognizing an employee award recipient

Piling on the recognition to highlight Alex, who was our company’s most-recognized employee this year! Enjoy the award and the reward points — you’ve earned them!

Going beyond simple employee of the month awards to recognize those who provide the most feedback, give the most recognition, or even bring the most coffee to the office is a great idea for any employee recognition program. Whatever fun award ideas your company comes up with, don’t hold back on joining in on the appreciation party.

18. Thanking a coworker for contributing to employee wellness

Your idea to start a meditation program for employees over the lunch hour has made such a huge impact! Much love to our wellness MVP.

Supporting employee wellness is a win for businesses and employees alike. When a team member or your organization does something to improve wellness in your life, reach out and say thanks.

19. Showing appreciation for a real culture of belonging

I’m so grateful you always let me be me. I really feel like I belong here!

A genuine sense of belonging is a rare thing to find, whether at work or in your personal life. If you feel like you can be yourself when you’re on the job, a quick message of thanks is more than warranted.

20. Expressing gratitude for listening to and acting on employee feedback

Thanks from the bottom of my heart for actually living your open door policy and always listening to my ideas and feedback. Nothing else feels as satisfying as seeing my voice make a real difference!

Let your company know you’ve taken notice when they ask for and act on your feedback — preferably using a dedicated employee engagement platform. Having a real voice in your company is something worth celebrating.

21. Recognizing a team member on employee appreciation day

Thanks to our amazing CEO Megan for making this year’s employee appreciation day unforgettable!

Employee appreciation should be a daily practice at your company, but that’s no reason to neglect each year’s official employee appreciation day. Make employee appreciation day one to remember at your company, and your team members will return the recognition they receive many times over.

22. Calling out an employee’s rapport with customers

Congrats to Gareth on all the positive customer feedback you’ve inspired — you’re an example for the customer service team and our entire organization!

Happy, motivated employees are more likely to have positive interactions with customers and clients. To keep the cycle of good vibes going, recognize employees who model exceptional customer service.

23. Appreciating great employee incentives

New employees keep telling me how much they appreciate our amazing incentives, so kudos to our HR superstar, Vernon, on putting together a first-in-class benefits package!

Compensation, insurance, retirement benefits — these are all key parts of an organization’s employee value proposition (EVP), but employee incentives don’t need to stop there. If your company takes the time to ask you what incentives you truly value and works to provide them, the least you can do is send off a message of appreciation.

24. Saying thank you for an employee recognition program

I really appreciate all your work getting our new employee recognition platform implemented — even though I’m fully remote, I’ve never felt more valued in my career!

Implementing an employee recognition program supported by a centralized, mobile-friendly platform is the best way to enable frequent appreciation across your organization. Hop into the app and shoot off a few words of thanks if your organization has built a recognition program to be proud of.

25. Sharing a message of appreciation for improvements to your home office

This is the home office I’ve always wanted. Couldn’t have done it without the new recognition initiative you championed, Karine — you rock!

An amazing work environment makes a huge difference to the employee experience. Organizations that provide a stipend or one-time gift for decorating your office, whether in or out of the home, deserve recognition.

26. Recognizing an employee for providing insightful feedback

Elise, your input on our new wellness program has seriously helped us align it with what employees really want. Thanks as always for exercising your voice!

Employees who give voice to their thoughts on a regular basis are one of the most valuable commodities any organization can have. When an employee speaks up — provided the feedback isn’t confidential or anonymous — let them know you appreciate it.

27. Congratulating an employee for achieving a professional goal

Way to go Matt on your new promotion to the head of digital marketing! You’re going to do great things!

Professional wins, from certification in a new skill to a promotion, are causes for major celebration. Share a message of appreciation to let your coworker know how happy you are for their success.

Share employee appreciation messages every day with Achievers

If you’ve ever wanted to say thanks to a coworker but weren’t sure how, or if you wished you could just send off a message of appreciation in seconds using a mobile app, then the Achievers Employee Experience Platform is just what you’ve been waiting for. Powered by Achievers Recognize, everyone at your organization can share words of recognition — backed by rewards points recipients can redeem for products from over 2,500 brands — wherever and whenever the urge to show some appreciation strikes them.