The power of a gifting policy with impact: how appreciation leads to growth.

First things first. What do we mean exactly when we talk about a gifting policy?

A gifting policy is a collection of guidelines that determine how employees may give and receive gifts and other forms of appre­ci­a­tion. It ensures a fair, trans­par­ent and uniform approach, prevents conflicts and guarantees integrity within the organ­i­sa­tion. This builds a culture where recog­ni­tion happens not at random, but in a structured way.

A gifting policy is not just about giving gifts; it is a strategic decision that impacts key HR metrics such as employee sat­is­fac­tion, engagement and retention.

In Belgium and the Nether­lands, companies give millions of employee gifts each year, but too often they miss their mark. The gifts are often a formality, and lack the personal touch that conveys genuine appre­ci­a­tion. A well-thought-out gifting policy goes beyond the material gift and focuses on meaningful moments that are important to the employee.

A gifting policy is so much more than just handing out gifts. It provides a lot of tangible benefits in the workplace, in both the short and long term. Here are the 5 most common positive effects for our customers:

• Higher pro­duc­tiv­i­ty and job sat­is­fac­tion: Motivated employees perform better and are happier.
• Stronger company culture: Appre­ci­a­tion strength­ens positive rela­tion­ships within teams.
• Increased engagement: Employees feel more valued and connected to the organ­i­sa­tion.
• Less employee turnover: Satisfied and engaged employees stay around longer.
• Stronger employer branding: A good gifting policy makes you more attractive to new talent.

A successful gifting policy starts with estab­lish­ing clear guidelines. Companies must first identify ​‘moments that matter’ for showing your employee recog­ni­tion.

Consider not only the classic occasions like birthdays or anniver­saries, but also the occasions that are specific to the individual or team. The policy must be fair, trans­par­ent and ethical, and avoid any possible conflicts.

Any other tips for getting the most out of appre­ci­a­tion?

• Listen to your employees: Understand what they value, take cultural dif­fer­ences into account, and avoid generic gifts.
• Ensure clear com­mu­ni­ca­tion: Focus on clear and trans­par­ent com­mu­ni­ca­tion so that everyone within the organ­i­sa­tion is aware of the policy.
• Engage managers in the process: It not only makes the gifts personal and meaningful, but also increases the impact and creates a stronger connection between employees and the company.

A well-imple­ment­ed gifting policy can have a lot of impact, but common mistakes can sometimes put a spanner in the works. Here’s how to avoid the 3 most important errors:

• Impersonal gifts: They feel forced and lack genuine appre­ci­a­tion. Choose something that really resonates with the recipient and add a personal message.
• Incon­sis­tent appre­ci­a­tion: Unequal or sporadic appre­ci­a­tion creates frus­tra­tion. A fair, uniform policy makes a big difference.
• One size fits all: Tailor gifts to the specific needs of your employees by involving your team leads when imple­ment­ing your gifting policy.