Awards for employees: Funny ideas to try
Giving everyone an award at an office event can strengthen the bonds of a team and allow employees to feel seen. Keeping the awards lighthearted adds an extra element of fun. Start planning your awards for employees with these fun ideas for prize titles.
1. The Printer Wrangler
When the printer or copier jams, there’s always one person who everyone calls. Recognize their achievements in taming the equipment in the office with a funny award.
2. The Coffee Captain
Everyone appreciates that person who always starts the coffee maker when the pot is empty. Give your resident barista some time to shine with a coffee-themed award.
3. The Most Morning Person
No matter the day, this person arrives at work bright-eyed and ready for the day. Let everyone marvel at your employee who’s a perpetual early riser.
4. The Headphone Hero
Think of that employee who’s always jamming to their own soundtrack throughout the day. Give them an award for always having their headphones or earbuds at the ready.
5. The Awesome Orderer
When it’s time to order takeout or delivery for lunch, the faint of heart duck their heads and hope to be unseen. However, there’s one among you who is always ready to dial the phone or complete that complicated online order. This is the award for that valiant hero.
6. The Interior Designer
This person’s office or cube is the envy of everyone. Recognize their on-point decor and comfortable amenities with the title of Interior Designer.
7. The Best at Mondays
While their coworkers drag themselves to their desks at the start of the day, this person is full of energy and ready to conquer the week. Celebrate their bravery in the face of Mondays with this funny office award.
8. The Minute Minder
Who needs a clock with this person in the office? You can always tell when it’s lunchtime or quitting time because they’ll be out of their chairs at the exact minute.
9. The Super Scout
If you have a headache, this person has three kinds of over-the-counter pain relievers at the ready. Lose a button on your shirt? They have a sewing kit handy, and they know how to use it. Show the Super Scout who is always ready for everything some love with a special award.
10. The Commissioner
This person runs the Super Bowl pool or the fantasy league. If you missed the big game last night, you can count on them to not only know the score but to also give you a recap of the game’s highlights. Score points with that sports super fan by giving them their own award.
11. The Go-To Van Gogh
Glancing down at this person’s desk is like a trip to the Met. They’re doodling is legendary, so give them this award to celebrate their many mini masterpieces.
12. The Trivia Champ
Before you ask Siri or Alexa or think about checking Wikipedia, this person knows the answer to that random question. Whether it’s about pop culture, science, the arts or humanities, this employee somehow seems to know something about every topic you can imagine.
13. The Operator
At any time of day, this person will be happy to speak to you in a second. Right now, they’re on a call. Give them this funny employee award, provided you can get them off the phone for long enough.
14. The Auto Replier
Even an out-of-office message doesn’t respond as quickly as this individual. Present them with this award to let them know their speed and efficiency at managing emails is a life goal for everyone.
15. The Excel-Ent
No formula is too complex for this Excel Expert. If their spreadsheets are true works of art and they’re always ready to put their skills to work helping the team, this is the award for them.
16. The Mathematician
You haven’t even opened the calculator app on your computer before this person has crunched the numbers for you. Their mystifying ability to perform mental multiplication, division, addition and subtraction makes them worthy of this award.
17. The Office Mom/Dad
This person is always looking out for everyone around them. They’ll remind you to put on your coat because it’s cold outside or say you should see the doctor at the first sneeze. Honor their parental instincts with this fun award.
18. The Thesaurus
When you need to punch up a proposal or phrase an email in just the right way, you turn to this person. If their knowledge of the English language is second to none, give them this award.
19. The Standup Comedian
This person fills the workdays with laughter, thanks to their quips, one-liners and puns. Let them know how much you all love their material with this title.
20. The Socialite
Whether they’re adept at Facebook, TikTok, Twitter or Instagram, this person is always filling your feed with great content. Recognize their unparalleled social media skills with this award.
21. The Garmin
Don’t know how to get from Point A to Point B? No need to worry, they do. Plus, they have an alternate route that you can fall back on in case there’s traffic. Celebrate their impressive navigation skills with this GPS-inspired title.
Choosing the form of funny employee awards
You can present office awards in a few forms. Print up certificates to present to each winner or have medals or trophies made. Another fun idea is to have the award match the theme of the title. For example, you might give the Printer Wrangler a ream of paper with a certificate glued to the wrapper or the Super Scout a box of adhesive bandages with a personalized award sticker on the front.
Funny office awards FAQs
What are the benefits of funny employee awards?
Funny employee awards can increase employee morale by allowing everyone to laugh together. Laughter is also an excellent way to alleviate stress in the workplace. Plus, a funny employee awards ceremony can give your team a fresh perspective, so they return to work feeling energized and motivated.
Related: Managing Stress in the Workplace: 12 Stress Management Tips for Managers
What types of funny employee awards should I avoid?
Funny office awards should never make fun of the recipient. Don’t choose any awards based on people’s disabilities, personal appearance, race, gender, religion, cultural heritage or sexual orientation. Ask yourself how you would feel receiving the funny employee awards you want to give. Get feedback from other members of your management team, and run the ideas past HR to ensure they’re inclusive and appropriate.
Related: What Is an Inclusive Workplace? How to Get Started
How should I present funny office awards?
You can present funny office awards in a few ways. Give employees a break during a regular workday and hold the awards event at the office. Then, follow up with a catered lunch, refreshments or happy hour at a local spot. Hold an evening event at a venue and pattern it after a Hollywood awards show, complete with a red carpet and speeches from the winners. If you have remote workers on your team, make the event virtual by holding it on Zoom or another video conferencing service.
Learn more: How to Plan an Event for Your Small Business
What’s the best way to spread the word about an awards event?
Let your team know about your office awards through a variety of channels, including email, signage and messaging apps. You can also make announcements during team meetings or huddles. Make sure everyone knows the event is a funny employee awards ceremony to set expectations. At or after the event, take a moment to seriously thank your team and recognize them for all that they do, so you end the fun on a positive, meaningful note.
Related: Phrases for Recognizing Employees: How to Show Your Appreciation
