New Workhuman research finds that 67% of Irish employees are expecting to receive an end-of-year bonus this holiday season

Gift-giving also on top of Irish employees’ mind, with over half expecting gifts from managers and colleagues. 

05 December 2024 - Workhuman®, the company revolutionising the way employees celebrate, connect with and appreciate each other in the workplace, today announces the findings from its latest Human Workplace Index, revealing key insights about Irish employees’ expectations around workplace gifts and bonuses, and the impact of the festive season on their work life.  

Commissioned by Workhuman and conducted by Pollfish, the survey interviewed 1,000 full-time employees in Ireland from August until November this year.  

The season of giving: workplace bonuses and gifts  

The research highlights employees’ high expectations, with 67% of Irish employees anticipating an end-of-year bonus. Additionally, workplace gifting is seen as an important tradition, with 51% of employees expecting gifts from colleagues and 50% from managers.  

37% of employees believe that bonuses and gifts are tied directly to their performance at work, highlighting the growing importance of performance-based recognition in today’s workplace culture. 

Holiday stress and employee wellbeing 

As the year draws to a close, 41% report increased gratitude and camaraderie during the holidays, and 40% notice more team outings/events. However, stress linked to financial burden of the holiday season (58%), meeting KPI/ goals (17%) and annual reviews (17%) is also notable.  

Workplace recognition emerged as a powerful stress reliever, with 74% of employees agreeing that receiving public appreciation from colleagues helps create a more positive atmosphere.  Additionally, 60% of employees surveyed make a point to thank colleagues, with the majority (69%) verbally appreciating their co-workers while 30% prefer to give a physical gift to demonstrate gratitude.  

Recognition as a key driver of employee engagement  

In addition to bonuses, workplace peer-to-peer employee recognition programs are becoming invaluable in alleviating holiday-related financial stress.  

A significant majority of employees (82%) agree that using rewards points from a formal work recognition program to purchase gifts could help alleviate the pressure of holiday spending. This shift in recognition practices is contributing to stronger employee engagement, even during the busiest time of the year. 

“The festive season offers organisations a unique opportunity to celebrate employee contributions and cultivate a culture of appreciation.” said Niamh Graham, Senior Vice President of Global Human Experience at Workhuman. “Our findings shows that a well-crafted peer-to-peer employee not only would help alleviate the stress of the holiday season spending but boosts our tradition to give and receive year-end gratitude, serving as a long-term investment in employee satisfaction and company culture. When done right, recognition at the workplace goes beyond holiday gifts or bonuses, creating lasting connections and positive effects on employee engagement, morale, and an environment where employees feel valued year-round.”