HRGuru

mystery theatre dinners!  They don't have to be pricey, especially if you buy a script and get the employees to do the play.  It depends on how big your company is, but those are really well-liked.  At the same time that the employees are enjoying the play and the dinner, they're enjoying strengthening their teamwork skills, since each table has to elect a leader, and they all have to work together to solve the mystery, which also enhances problem-solving skills.

One of the hits at the company I use to work for was to do have an Ice Cream Social in the afternoon and let the employees take a break for about 30 minutes. The morale booster is well worth the longer break time.

jackson says ...

We have allot of cookouts and snack days. My company is about 100 people so it can be done fairly easy. One thing that always gets great results is thanking the spouse of the person that has worked allot of OT, weekends etc. We usually send flowers to wives since we have more of them than husbands but we thank them for being so understanding during our time of need and how much we appreciate the employed spouses' efforts. I can tell you they both smile when you do that. Now I will say one thing about gifts and rewards to employees. I have found that gifts that don't show any thought such as trade show trinkets or job fair junk do not hold any value to an employee as a gift for reward. If they go home and give it to the kid or the dog what purpose did it serve I ask? We try to give substantial gifts ($50) in less quantity instead so that Ee is going to say "I got that at work" and feel proud about it. It’s how you make them feel that’s most important IMO.

Excellent insight!  Gifts that show that you really put some thought into it are far more appreciated, and it's obvious that you truly do value not only your employees, but their families.  That must be a great place to work!

Actually no it's not. What we are doing is trying to compensate for the tough conditions these guys have to put up with. We do have to work hard at keeping the Ee's engaged. Everything is black in this plant for one thing and if the heat doesn't get you the 12 hr. shifts 3 on 3 off including weekends will. We come up with a lot of seemingly silly stuff that works at giving them something to look forward to.

jackson says ...

Actually no it's not. What we are doing is trying to compensate for the tough conditions these guys have to put up with. We do have to work hard at keeping the Ee's engaged. Everything is black in this plant for one thing and if the heat doesn't get you the 12 hr. shifts 3 on 3 off including weekends will. We come up with a lot of seemingly silly stuff that works at giving them something to look forward to.

Well, that's something in my book.  Obviously, you realize just how awful it would be for them if you didn't show them that you care.  To work in such an environment and be treated like you didn't matter on top of it would be too much.  I think it's fantastic that you do these things.

To celebrate employee birthdays the company gives them a bucket of popcorn and a $10 Blockbuster gift card so they can rent a movie .

Oh, Krispy Cremes!  Can you bring me some???  Please???  I think most people love getting some nice, warm, gooey doughnuts from time to time.