Are you looking for funny ways to reward your employees?
Recognising your team’s hard work doesn’t have to be all formal and serious. A funny award can also inspire your coworkers and create long-lasting memories.
At MedalStudio, we have years of experience crafting all types of awards, and we understand that employee appreciation should be meaningful and creative.
That’s why, in this article, we’ll explain the following 7 funny employee appreciation award ideas that will have your team laughing:
- Caffeine Gremlin
- Mime Master
- Caps Lock Bandit
- The "Let's Circle Back" Award
- Office Influencer
- Gossip Guru
- Snack Dealer
Are you ready? Let’s dive in!
7 Funny Employee Appreciation Awards
Organising a fun awards ceremony at the office can improve the work atmosphere and motivate everyone. However, we understand that coming up with the right categories can be a challenge, especially if it’s your first time hosting this type of event.
We recommend considering inside jokes among the team. The more specific the award, the funnier it will be. Use recurring phrases or common habits of your colleagues that are frequently talked about.
Additionally, the way you present the awards is key. Build up suspense and excitement to make the moment even more entertaining.
Don't forget that personalising each award will ensure the winner remembers it fondly. You can opt for custom medals or awards in creative shapes.
Make sure to include all employees so that it’s an inclusive experience where no one feels left out. It’s also essential to ensure that the jokes will be well received, as not everyone shares the same sense of humour. The key is to keep the awards lighthearted, avoiding anything that might be uncomfortable or offensive.
Now that you have these tips in mind, here are 7 award ideas that will have your employees laughing.
#1 Caffeine Gremlin
This award is perfect for that person who simply cannot start their workday without a strong cup of coffee.
Their daily coffee intake likely exceeds seven cups, and they probably spend more time at the coffee station than at their own desk. Some might even say their real office is right next to the coffee machine.
To make this award fun and memorable, you could personalise a medal with a witty title such as “Caffeine Gremlin” or similar. You could also gift them a mug or a subscription to their favourite coffee shop.
#2 Mime Master
If you work from home or remember 2020 well, you’ve probably heard the phrase “We can’t hear you, you’re on mute” more times than you can count. It’s happened to all of us at least once, but every team has that one person who turns it into a routine.
The "Mime Master" award goes to the person who eagerly starts speaking, only to realise seconds later that no one has heard a single word.
To make this recognition even more memorable, we recommend engraving a microphone on the medal or trophy, along with the winner’s name. That way, it will be a truly iconic keepsake!
#3 Caps Lock Bandit
If there’s one thing that can cause confusion, it’s receiving an email written entirely in capital letters. It makes you wonder: are they angry, worried, or do they just write like this?
That’s why, the "Caps Lock Bandit" award should go to the person who always writes as if the world is ending – even when they’re simply confirming a meeting.
To make it even more special, we suggest engraving their name in capital letters on the medal or including the phrase: "I’M NOT SHOUTING, I JUST TYPE LIKE THIS".
#4 The "Let's Circle Back" Award
This award is for those who truly appreciate face-to-face conversations and schedule multiple meetings each week… even when a quick email would have done the job.
We understand that this award might be taken sensitively, so if the recipient doesn’t share your sense of humour, be sure to highlight something positive when presenting it—such as their ability to keep the team organised and ensure everyone is on the same page.
#5 Office Influencer
The Office Influencer award is perfect for that person who shares every detail of their life and work on social media. They always have the perfect photo ready and probably get more likes than the company’s official account!
For this category, we recommend engraving the medal or award with an icon of a mobile phone, a ring light, or a camera. It’s almost guaranteed that the winner will post a photo of their award, so make sure it’s worthy of a great post.
#6 Gossip Guru
The Gossip Guru award is for that person who always knows everything happening within the team.
They’re a great listener and never miss a detail—whether it’s about new hires, rumours of team changes, or even office romances. They have a knack for knowing it all before anyone else, always with style and discretion.
To make this award funnier, you could engrave it with a phrase like "The real head of internal communications" or something similar. Consider your team’s inside jokes to personalise it and make it even more memorable.
#7 Snack Dealer
There’s always that one colleague who, no matter the time of day, has something delicious to share. Whether it's with a chocolate bar, some biscuits, or a sweet treat, the Snack Dealer always finds a way to make the workday a little more enjoyable for everyone.
For this award, consider engraving a medal with the title "Official Snack Supplier" or customise the shape of the trophy to look like a chocolate bar.
A Fun Way to Recognise Your Team's Hard Work
Celebrating your team doesn't always have to be serious. Remember, to make sure the awards are actually funny, you'll need to think about the inside jokes and present the category in a fun and engaging way.
If you're looking to take your awards to the next level, check out our site. If you have any questions regarding our custom medals and awards, please do not hesitate to email us at [email protected] or call us at 01377250449.
Updated: 17/02/2025