In This Post:
Presenters:
Peter Crahan
US Channel and Partnership Director
Jenna Kalnajs
Account Executive
Companies are constantly searching for solutions to enhance productivity and satisfaction. Empowering them to improve employee engagement and cultivate a culture of appreciation that supports, connects, and retains their workforce is a vital priority for many of them. In a vibrant environment where employees feel genuinely valued and appreciated, engagement becomes a daily practice that fuels productivity and satisfaction.
In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we welcomed Peter Crahan, the US Channel and Partnership Director at Reward Gateway | Edenred, and Jenna Kalnajs, Account Executive at Reward Gateway | Edenred, to our webinar series to share why appreciation and employee engagement are significant and how to start and take action. Companies that fail to prioritize the holistic wellbeing of their workforce risk falling behind in both productivity and talent retention. And Reward Gateway | Edenred’s innovative solutions addresses this challenge head-on and empowers organizations to build cultures where employees thrive.
About Reward Gateway | Edenred
Reward Gateway | Edenred’s recently released 2025 Workplace Wellbeing Report underscores the remarkable impact that recognition and support can have. They are powerful catalysts for performance and workplace satisfaction. So, what occurs when employees genuinely feel valued?
The Employee Experience Platform by Reward Gateway | Edenred is an all-in-one platform and comprehensive strategy that aligns employees’ needs with business outcomes through recognition, communication, wellbeing, and benefits. This centralized, customizable SmartHub is used by over 10 million employees across 5,000+ clients and supported by a global team of 1,000+ professionals.
This platform is about creating a branded home where employees can find what they need, exactly when they need it. It helps companies connect their people to the organization’s mission, values, and purpose through seamless communication and targeted engagement tools.
The Real Cost of Ignoring Employee Wellbeing
Statistics from the 2025 Reward Gateway | Edenred report reveal a sobering trend: workplace stress is a growing concern across all employee segments. Whether hybrid, in-office, or remote, stress levels hover around 30-40%. The consequences? Productivity losses, increased sick days, and diminished morale.
More than half (51%) of employees choose to take a sick day for mental health rather than a sick day for physical illness. Additionally, 47% say that the rising cost of living directly impacts their work—a notable increase from 42% just a year ago.
But perhaps most telling is the shift in employee values: 50% of workers now prioritize a company that genuinely cares about their wellbeing over a 10% pay raise. That’s a significant leap from 44% in 2024, highlighting a broader movement toward people-centric cultures.
Appreciation in favor of Performance
Beyond the numbers lies a critical insight: recognition fuels performance. According to research from the HAAS School of Business and Forbes, employees who feel genuinely appreciated are 43% more effective in their roles.
Yet, appreciation levels vary dramatically by industry. The technology sector leads with a 69 Appreciation Index, while industries like healthcare and transportation lag at 64 and 62, respectively. This disparity underscores the opportunity for organizations across all industries to step up their engagement game.
Recognizing and Rewarding What Matters
Reward Gateway | Edenred is an all-in-one platform that takes employee recognition to a new level. Managers and peers can send customizable eCards, celebrate milestones, and even nominate colleagues for rewards. With options like Amazon gift cards, custom rewards, and even charitable donations, there’s something meaningful for everyone.
The best part? There are no admin fees or markups, which means the investment goes directly toward appreciation, not overhead.
Supporting Mental and Physical Wellbeing
Reward Gateway | Edenred understands that wellbeing isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why their platform includes virtual fitness challenges, wellbeing content, and activity trackers to encourage healthy habits. Managers are also empowered to schedule wellbeing check-ins and spotlight benefits their teams might not even realize are available.
For organizations that want to go the extra mile, Lifestyle Spending Accounts offer customizable employer-funded allowances that cover everything from fitness to meals to personal development.
Saving Employees Money, Daily
In a world where inflation eats away at paychecks, even small savings matter. Reward Gateway | Edenred’s Discounts feature gives employees access to instant savings at hundreds of retailers through discount codes, cashback offers, and vouchers. It’s an easy, effective way to boost take-home value without raising salaries.
Commuter benefits are also integrated into the platform, offering tax-efficient support for employees who travel for work. With nationwide partnerships across transit agencies, bike shops, and parking locations, it’s a scalable solution for distributed teams.
Communication that Connects
Clear and timely communication is essential in today’s hybrid workplace. The platform’s communication tools include internal blogs, audience targeting, open enrollment reminders, and engagement tracking. Leaders can share critical company updates and foster a sense of belonging, all in one place.
Integration and Simplicity
One of the standout features is Reward Gateway | Edenred’s solution’s ability to integrate with existing systems. With Single Sign-On capabilities, employees can seamlessly move between the engagement platform and other HR tools without juggling multiple logins. This reduces friction and improves adoption.
Get in touch with Reward Gateway | Edenred today!
The data is clear: engaged employees are happier, healthier, and more productive. And in an era where talent is scarce and burnout is common, organizations must be proactive in building environments where people feel seen, supported, and appreciated.
Reward Gateway | Edenred offers more than just a product – it offers a partnership. It empowers companies to embed appreciation into the fabric of their culture, support holistic wellbeing, and create meaningful connections with their people every day.
Next time you speak with a client – or reflect on your company’s culture – ask yourself: What are we doing to show our employees that we care?
Because in 2025 and beyond, employee engagement isn’t optional. It’s the key to sustainable success.
For more information, contact:
Peter Crahan – peter.crahan@rewardgateway.com
Jenna Kalnajs – jenna.kalnajs@rewardgateway.com
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