17 Ways to Show Your Employees You Appreciate Them
When was the last time you thanked your staff for their hard work? Employee appreciation shows them that the work they’re doing matters, which leads to higher engagement and retention. And it doesn’t have to cost a lot. If you need some ways to say, “Thank You,” check out these 17 ideas:
1. Share a gift card to your company’s favorite local coffee shop
Everyone needs a little pick-me-up sometimes, so treat your staff to afternoon coffee.
2. Give everyone an extra day off
Can’t afford raises or bonuses this year? Give your team an extra day off. That time off can come in handy during the holidays. Your workers will come back refreshed and ready to work harder.
3. Schedule a group outing
Spending time together outside of the office will help you and your personnel bond and strengthen your relationships. Bring your staff to a local sporting event or become tourists for the day and do some sightseeing around town.
4. Give employees time to work on a certification
Learning a new skill or finishing a certification will help your workers advance in their careers. It can even help your small business grow because the skills they learn will help them become more efficient and improve their work.
Read also: 7 Tips for Developing a Culture of Learning
5. Create a mentoring program
A mentoring program can further promote career growth because it gives your team a chance to shadow someone who has their dream job. Plus, anyone who’s mentoring someone else will get a morale boost because you recognized their talents by making them a mentor.
6. Order lunch
If you’re in the middle of a particularly hard week (or month), cater lunch so that your team has one less thing to stress about. It also provides bonding time and strengthens your company culture.
7. Recognize an employee of the month
Set up an employee-of-the-month program. You don’t have to spend a lot – recognize the person in your company newsletter and print a certificate your worker can display at their desk. You can even have other team members nominate their peers, so they have an additional incentive to do their job well.
8. Celebrate your staff online
Don’t just keep the celebrations to yourself. Recognize your team’s hard work on your company’s social media pages or blog. As a bonus, your workers will probably share the posts, so you’ll be able to pick up some more followers.
9. Recognize big (and small) accomplishments
If someone lands a huge sale or finishes a project that’s been stressing them out, send out a quick email to your whole staff recognizing the achievement. Even if someone does something small that has a significant impact, it’s a good time to recognize them.
10. Ask your employees for feedback
Show your team members that their opinions matter by asking for their feedback. Then, act on it!
Read also: 7 Ways to Respond to Employee Surveys
11. Offer flexible schedules
Your staff has busy lives outside of work. It might be difficult for them to juggle their personal lives and work lives, so offer flexible work schedules (within reason) to make it easier on them.
Read also: Is Flextime Right for Your Small Business?
12. Write thank-you notes
A hand-written note can go a long way. Even if there is no gift attached, recognizing someone’s work will mean a lot.
13. Invite staff into your office
Your workforce might find going to your office intimidating. People usually associate that with being in trouble. Put people at ease by inviting them to your office just to chat and thank them for all they do.
14. Close the office early before a holiday
Close the office early the day before a holiday weekend, so your employees can recharge and celebrate with family. Your team will appreciate the extra time to prepare for the holidays.
15. Start a fun holiday tradition
Starting a fun holiday tradition like Secret Santa or a White Elephant Gift Exchange can give your workers something to look forward to and make them feel like part of the work-family.
16. Share company swag
Show your workers that you’re proud they’re part of the team by giving them company swag to wear around town.
17. Give bonuses and/or raises
If it’s in your budget, give your employees a raise or year-end bonus to say, “Thank you for hard work. Keep it up!”
Read also: 5 Steps to Giving Out Year-End Bonuses
