How funny awards in the workplace can boost onboarding experience

Understanding the role of humor in onboarding

Why humor matters in the first days at work

Starting a new job can be a nerve-wracking experience. New employees often feel pressure to fit in, learn quickly, and prove their value. In this context, humor can be a powerful tool to ease tension and foster a sense of belonging. When a company uses funny awards or celebrates unique contributions with a lighthearted touch, it signals that the workplace values not just hard work, but also fun and authentic connections.

Humor in the onboarding process helps break the ice between team members. It encourages open communication and makes the office environment more approachable. For example, giving out a "Picasso Award" for the most creative idea or a "Social Butterfly" award for someone who connects with everyone can highlight the diverse strengths of new hires. These fun awards recognize the person behind the employee, making the workplace feel more human and less intimidating.

The link between recognition and team culture

Employee recognition is a cornerstone of a positive work environment. When companies use funny employee awards as part of onboarding, they reinforce a culture where contributions are noticed and celebrated. This approach helps new team members feel seen and appreciated from day one. It also sets the tone for ongoing recognition, encouraging employees to continue sharing ideas and participating in team building activities.

Research shows that recognition programs, even informal ones, can boost morale and engagement (source). By making recognition fun and inclusive, companies can create a more welcoming atmosphere for everyone. This is especially important in the early days, when first impressions shape how employees view the company culture and their place within the team.

• Funny awards highlight the best qualities of new employees
• They help celebrate unique contributions and encourage participation
• Regular recognition builds a strong foundation for employee engagement

Ultimately, incorporating humor and fun awards into onboarding is about more than just laughs. It’s a strategic way to build trust, encourage collaboration, and set the stage for a positive, productive work experience.

Types of funny awards that work best for new employees

Creative ways to recognize new hires with humor

When it comes to welcoming new employees, funny awards can break the ice and help everyone feel more comfortable. The best awards highlight unique contributions and personality traits, making the onboarding process more memorable. Here are some ideas that have proven effective in various workplaces:

• Picasso Award – Celebrate the team member who brings creative ideas to meetings or decorates their workspace in a unique way. This award recognizes innovation and adds a touch of fun to employee recognition.
• Social Butterfly – Perfect for the person who quickly connects with colleagues, joins team lunches, or is active on social media. This award encourages team building and helps foster a welcoming office culture.
• Best Question Asker – Onboarding is all about learning. Recognize the new employee who is not afraid to ask questions, showing curiosity and a willingness to learn. This award highlights the value of engagement during the onboarding process.
• Early Bird or Night Owl – Some employees arrive early, while others stay late. These awards recognize different work styles and show that the company values flexibility and hard work.
• Office Explorer – For the person who quickly learns their way around the office or discovers the best coffee spot. This award adds humor and helps new hires feel like part of the team.

Funny employee awards like these can make recognition more personal and less formal, which is especially important during onboarding. They celebrate both work achievements and the unique personalities that make up a team. When awards recognize individual contributions, they help build a positive work environment and reinforce the company culture. It is important to ensure that these awards are inclusive and respectful. The goal is to celebrate, not embarrass. For more on how compensation and recognition fit into the onboarding experience, you can read this article on understanding what compensation DOE means in the onboarding experience. By using humor in employee awards, companies can make onboarding more engaging and help new team members feel valued from day one.

How to introduce funny awards without making it awkward

Making the First Step Fun, Not Forced

Introducing funny awards during onboarding can feel risky. The goal is to celebrate unique contributions and create a positive work environment, not to make anyone uncomfortable. Here’s how to make sure your approach lands well with new employees and sets the right tone for your company culture.

• Start with the right timing: Wait until new team members have had a chance to settle in and observe the office culture. This helps ensure that humor feels natural and not overwhelming.
• Keep it inclusive: Choose award ideas that everyone can relate to, such as the “Social Butterfly” for someone who connects quickly or the “Picasso Award” for creative problem-solving. Avoid anything that singles out a person in a negative way.
• Explain the purpose: Let employees know that these awards recognize fun, hard work, and unique contributions. Make it clear that the goal is to celebrate the team and foster team building, not to embarrass anyone.
• Encourage participation: Invite team members to suggest funny employee awards or vote for the best ones. This builds buy-in and helps awards highlight what’s valued in your workplace.
• Keep it regular, but not overdone: Award regular recognition, but don’t let it become a chore. A monthly or quarterly fun awards session can be just enough to keep things fresh and meaningful.

When done right, funny awards can boost employee recognition and help new hires feel like part of the team. For a deeper look at how onboarding programs can shape the employee experience, check out this guide to onboarding insights and challenges.

Real-life examples of funny awards in onboarding

Examples from Real Workplaces

Funny awards have become a creative way for companies to celebrate unique contributions and foster a positive work environment. Here are some real-life examples of how organizations use humor to recognize new employees and build team culture:

• Picasso Award: Some offices give the "Picasso Award" to the team member who brings the most creativity to a project or decorates their workspace in a unique way. This not only highlights artistic flair but also encourages employees to express themselves.
• Social Butterfly: Recognizing the person who connects with the most colleagues during onboarding, this award celebrates those who help build relationships and make the team more welcoming. It’s especially effective in remote or hybrid settings where social interaction can be a challenge.
• Social Media Star: In companies where digital presence matters, the "Social Media Star" award goes to the employee who shares the best onboarding moments or company news online. This boosts both engagement and employer branding.
• Best Zoom Background: With remote work becoming common, some teams have fun by awarding the best virtual meeting background. It adds humor to daily routines and encourages creativity.
• Early Bird or Night Owl: These awards recognize those who consistently log in early or stay late, highlighting dedication and flexibility. It’s a lighthearted way to acknowledge hard work without promoting unhealthy habits.

How These Awards Shape Team Culture

When awards recognize unique contributions and inject humor into the onboarding process, they help new employees feel seen and valued. For example, celebrating a new hire’s quirky desk setup or their knack for remembering everyone’s name can break the ice and make the workplace feel more inclusive. Awards like these are most effective when they align with the company’s values and culture. They should be delivered in a way that feels genuine, not forced, and should always respect individual comfort levels. By making recognition fun and regular, organizations can create a sense of belonging and encourage team building from day one.

What Makes These Awards Work

• They focus on positive, light-hearted aspects of work.
• They celebrate both individual and team achievements.
• They are inclusive and adaptable to different personalities.
• They reinforce a culture of appreciation and humor.

By using funny employee awards, companies can turn onboarding into a memorable, engaging experience that supports both employee recognition and long-term team success.

Potential pitfalls and how to avoid them

Common Missteps When Using Humor for Employee Recognition

Introducing funny awards in the workplace can be a great way to celebrate unique contributions and build a positive office culture. However, there are some pitfalls that companies should be aware of to ensure these awards highlight the best in team members without causing discomfort or misunderstanding.

• Misreading the Room: Not every team member shares the same sense of humor. What one person finds funny, another might find awkward or even offensive. It’s important to consider the diversity of your team and avoid jokes that could be misunderstood or touch on sensitive topics.
• Overusing Stereotypes: Awards like "Social Butterfly" or "Picasso Award" should celebrate positive traits and unique contributions, not reinforce clichés or single out employees in a negative way. Make sure the award recognizes genuine strengths or fun moments, not personal quirks that could embarrass someone.
• Lack of Clarity: If the purpose of the award isn’t clear, employees might feel confused about why they received it. This can undermine the recognition and make the experience less enjoyable. Clearly explain the reason behind each award, focusing on the positive impact the person has had on the team or company.
• Making It Mandatory: Forcing participation in funny awards can backfire, especially for new employees who may not feel comfortable being in the spotlight. Allow team members to opt out or suggest their own ideas for fun awards to keep the process inclusive.
• Ignoring Cultural Differences: Humor varies widely across cultures. An award that seems harmless in one context might be inappropriate in another. Take time to understand your team’s backgrounds and adapt your approach to employee recognition accordingly.

Best Practices to Keep Awards Fun and Inclusive

• Test ideas with a small group before rolling them out to the whole office.
• Encourage team members to nominate each other for awards, so recognition feels authentic and peer-driven.
• Rotate the types of awards regularly to keep things fresh and relevant to current team dynamics.
• Celebrate both hard work and fun moments, balancing humor with genuine appreciation for contributions.

By being mindful of these potential pitfalls, companies can use funny employee awards to strengthen team building, foster a positive work environment, and make onboarding a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Measuring the impact of funny awards on onboarding success

Tracking the Value of Humor in Onboarding

Measuring the impact of funny awards on onboarding success is essential for understanding if these initiatives truly benefit your team and company culture. While humor and fun can make the onboarding process more enjoyable, it’s important to ensure that these efforts actually help new employees feel recognized and integrated.

• Employee Feedback: Regularly ask new hires how they felt about the funny awards. Did the Social Butterfly or Picasso Award make them feel like part of the team? Honest feedback can reveal if the recognition felt genuine or forced.
• Engagement Metrics: Track participation in award activities. Are employees nominating each other? Is there excitement around the next fun award? High engagement often signals a positive work environment and successful team building.
• Retention Rates: Compare retention data before and after introducing funny employee awards. If more new team members stay longer, it could be a sign that your onboarding process, including humor and recognition, is working.
• Peer Recognition: Monitor how often employees recognize each other’s unique contributions. When awards highlight hard work or creativity, it encourages a culture of appreciation and strengthens the team.
• Manager Observations: Encourage managers to note changes in team dynamics. Are new employees more comfortable sharing ideas or joining office activities after being celebrated with a fun award?

Measurement Method	What It Shows	Why It Matters
Employee Surveys	Perceived value of awards, sense of belonging	Direct insight into onboarding experience
Participation Rates	Level of engagement with awards	Indicates team involvement and fun
Retention Data	Employee turnover before and after awards	Links recognition to long-term success
Peer Nominations	Frequency of employees nominating others	Shows culture of recognition and support

When done right, funny awards can become a regular part of your employee recognition program. They help celebrate unique contributions, foster a positive office culture, and make the onboarding experience memorable. Just remember, the best results come from listening to your team and adapting your approach over time.