Globoforce Customers' Charitable Donations Surpass $100,000 in 2009

Charitable arm of Globoforce merchant network provides companies an easy way to recognize employees and give back

Globoforce offers five tips for employee gift-giving this holiday season

Southborough, Mass. and Dublin, Ireland - December 17, 2009 - Globoforce, a leading provider of global strategic employee recognition solutions, today announced that its customers have donated more than $100,000 to several worldwide charities during 2009. The donations were made through employee recognition awards as part of Globoforce's strategic recognition program for customers.

With more than 25 million reward options, Globoforce's global merchant network enables companies to provide their employees with increased choice and flexibility to redeem their recognition awards. The world's largest reward network includes more than 2,000 retailers, restaurants, and hospitality merchants globally. The network also includes several locally-relevant charities where employees can choose to donate their rewards. In fact, this year, Globoforce customers ordered the most charitable donations ever through the Globoforce network. In 2009, more than 2,000 employee rewards were placed across multiple global charities, totaling more than $100,000.

"We pride ourselves in providing the greatest choice in the employee recognition industry. A notable part of our merchant network is charities, and we're humbled and appreciative of the donations that our customers made in 2009," said Derek Irvine, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Strategic Consulting, Globoforce. "Recognizing an employee is a powerful thing; being able to accomplish that while also helping others is a win-win and something that both a manager and employee can feel good about."

The Globoforce Guide to Employee Gift-Giving:
The holidays can often present many dilemmas for managers, including what gift, if any, to give employees. To help address these concerns, Globoforce offers managers five simple tips for holiday office gift-giving:

1. Do it!
   The holidays are a great opportunity to thank your employees for their hard work during the year. Don't delay or wait to see if they give you a gift. Demonstrate your class as a manager and show them your appreciation.
2. Don't spend too much.
   The holiday season is the perfect time to share a nice token of appreciation with your employees, not flaunt cash with extravagant gifts.  A modest (but thoughtful!) gift can go a long way without the unnecessary uneasiness that often accompanies an expensive gift.
3. Provide the gift of choice.
   Employee gifts are most successful when they fit the recipient's interests, likes, or hobbies. You might think that nice bottle of cabernet is delicious but if your employee is not a fan of wine, the gesture is wasted. Easy solution: Give the gift of choice through a gift card. If your company uses an employee recognition firm like Globoforce, it's even easier. Your employee can pick the gift card they want and for a gift that is culturally relevant and personally meaningful.
4. Be creative and make it personal.
   Buying the discounted combo pack of movie theater passes might seem like a smart, easy, and cost-saving idea, as everyone gets treated equally. But treating all of your employees the same with gift-giving may actually make you appear lazy and less thoughtful. Give each employee something different in the same price range.
5. Make it meaningful.
   Putting a gift on a desk with a ribbon is nice. But attaching a considerate, well-written card or note is the extra touch that shows you really care. A personal note thanking each employee individually for outstanding efforts or behaviors goes a long way toward fostering a culture of appreciation within your team.

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