We wanted to share with you some ideas for Employee Appreciation day on how employers and businesses can create a culture of gratitude in the workplace that will make employees happier and more productive.
Edenred (RGER), comments: “Employees are the cornerstone of every organisation, and while Employee Appreciation Day is just one day out of the year, it gives employees a chance to actively celebrate the people who make their business possible. According to our research, when employees feel valued and appreciated, they are more productive and motivated. This leads to a boost in morale, productivity and business results.
Below are Chris’s top tips:
Customise the manager-led recognition
Many organisations and managers believe they do a good job of showing appreciation for employee contributions. And many do. There is always room for improvement. During team meetings, shout-outs are given to employees who feel they have achieved the most.
Encourage your managers to ask their direct reports “what do you feel most proud of?” in 1:1s. This idea is simple, but it works to ensure that great work is not missed.
You’re very creative in your reward design
Our research shows that rewarding employees for their contributions is not enough. Employees feel appreciated when they receive recognition. This can be challenging if your budget is limited or you need to make cuts.
Rewards don’t have to be monetary. Why not nominate an employee for a training and development opportunity, or offer to have lunch with your CEO or another member in the leadership team. By investing in the development of an employee within your organization, you show that you value what they contribute to your business and are committed to their growth.
Celebrating company culture and values
Your company culture will determine whether your employees stay on the job and interact meaningfully with one another. Your employer brand is a key factor in this.
Consider your core values, and how they are reflected in your workplace. Is there anything more that can be done to foster teamwork and a sense belonging within your organisation? Are there any measures in place to ensure that all employees, regardless of whether they work from home, at the office, or a mix, can still collaborate and communicate with one another? Consider team-building exercises, nominated award categories and culture walls for team members to post photos and messages. All of these encourage a people and culture-led approach which will improve wellbeing.
Refresh your manager training
In our HR Priority Report, we found that 83% UK employees feel motivated and more productive if they work with a manager that cares. Only 57% of managers believe they are supported and enabled to be great managers.
Look again at your training and education for managers, both current and future. Managers should be informed about the resources and tools available to their teams for navigating through challenges at work or in other areas. If your managers don’t know their role in promoting them and utilizing them, they will not be able to make the most of your benefits and initiatives.
Gather everyone and throw a big party
Employee Appreciation day is best spent with everyone in one place. Whether it’s a celebration in person with snacks and drinks, or a virtual townhall that everyone can dial in to, getting everyone in the same room together will make for a memorable event.
In the days before, you could create a blog post for your entire company to inform your employees about EAD and how important it is to your organization. You can show your appreciation by acknowledging milestones, challenges, and the role of your employees in these events.
The original version of the post How to maximize Employee Appreciation Day and beyond appeared first on HR News.
