The demand for flexible working, that fits around commitments outside of a person’s professional life, has prompted many businesses to reimagine working practices and adopt a hybrid approach.
While we believe that flexible working should be celebrated, we recognise the shift has presented challenges when it comes to employee engagement, which is crucial in any business.
Employee engagement drives employee motivation because it makes staff feel appreciated and respected, which in turn, has a positive impact on a person’s productivity levels. Getting employee engagement right is always a balancing act for most organisations, and in today’s hybrid workplace, it can be even more difficult to achieve if an employee isn't always face-to-face with his or her line management.
Building an effective employee engagement strategy for a hybrid workforce doesn't, however, need to be complicated and over-thought. Perks and recognition are still the key - you just need to find a new way to distribute these personally, especially when face-to-face communication is few and far between.
This is where digital rewards come in.
Digital rewards are fast becoming an effective employee engagement option because rewards, such as an eGift card, can be personalised and sent digitally to the recipient instantly.
eGifts also don't have any shipping costs and can easily be bought in bulk if you're looking to reward members of a large team or department.
With that in mind, here are our recommendations for the best eGifts to engage your hybrid workforce:
Top eGift rewards for a hybrid workforce
1. Multi-retailer cards
At Blackhawk Network we offer a One4all gift card which can be spent at over 140 high street and online brands. The card can be added to an employees’ digital wallet where they can spend it in-store or online. Employers can also send a message or video with the reward, which is a great way to build rapport and make the reward much more personal.
This type of gift card is accepted at over 55,000 stores throughout the UK and online, and covers the biggest brands across fashion, electronics, homeware, restaurants and more.
2. Themed gift cards
At Blackhawk Network we also offer themed gift cards, which offer the same flexibility as the One4all gift card but are more personal to the recipient's hobbies and interests. A themed gift card strikes the perfect balance.
Known as the One4all Favourites card, this option offers 12 well-known brands related to a specific interest. So, whether you want to treat your employees to enjoy meals out, download the latest game release, shop the latest fashions or enjoy some relaxing time, there’s a One4all Favourites gift card to suit everyone.
3. Discounted gift cards and eGifts
This type of eGift comes via a closed user-group platform that allows members to purchase their choice of physical gift card or eGift at a discounted price. Voucher Store offers businesses an excellent way to reward their employees or welcome new starters by instantly engaging them when they join the team.
We offer our own employees access to Voucher Store as an employee benefit. This allows them to buy discounted gift cards from a choice of over 70 well-known retail, leisure and entertainment brands. It also helps our team save money on everyday spending. What’s more, employees can purchase gift cards for friends and family as gifts, at a discounted price, meaning the benefits spread even further.
4. Virtual Mastercard® prepaid cards
This type of digital gift card is known as a cash-based reward card which can be branded and delivered via email. It can be loaded with any sum of money and then personalised with the recipient’s name, together with a brief message.
When our prepaid Mastercard gift cardis given with a balance, it can then be used just like a debit card. These prepaid cards are accepted in most places - just look for the Mastercard sign.
5. Swap codes for rewards
With this option, recipients receive codes that can then be redeemed as gift cards, vouchers or eCodes. At Blackhawk Network we call this our Select platform which can also be branded and personalised.
For a business offering this to its workforce, it offers full control over budgets; only ordering what you need, as and when you need it.
6. Travel gift cards
What better way to gift your employees than helping them to unwind and relax. A Travel Card allows the recipient to book all of their travel and holiday needs across 250 travel providers including; Kuoni, Virgin, First Choice, Cosmos and many more.
Employees with a Travel Card can also benefit from travel company Inspire making holiday bookings on the recipient’s behalf and also provide an after sales service in case there are any problems whilst the recipient is away. The gift cards can be used in the UK and worldwide.
7. Experience voucher gift cards
A new experience is very engaging and creates positive memories that last for a long time. Our range of Envy Experience voucher gift cards offer a wide range of handpicked experiences. whether it’s a massage or a day at the spa, a family day out, or a short break with friends, these cards will help you get there!
Once the budget is agreed, the card is gifted and the recipient can choose any experience from the 5,000 on offer.
Get in touch with our Gift Card team for support with your eGift card needs on 0207 419 8191 or click here.
