Low-dollar rewards are a driving force in keeping employees motivated and feeling both appreciated and loyal to their employers, according to a new survey by Parago, a provider of consumer and corporate incentives.

The study shows 81 percent of respondents say end-of-year rewards are a nice gesture for employees, though they should not be expected, and 84 percent of respondents say an end-of-year reward of a prepaid card valued at $100 or less would meet their expectations. Another 55 percent of respondents say only $25 or less on a prepaid card would meet their expectations.

Because of their employers' lower company profits, missed quotas, little employee appreciation and lack of gift-giving history, 69 percent of respondents says they do not anticipate their employers giving end-of-year rewards or holiday gifts in 2011. Despite this, 81 percent of respondents say a reward would make them feel more appreciated, motivated or loyal to the company, and 79 percent of respondents say receiving an end-of-year reward would be a token of their great work or an indication that they are appreciated.