The Employee Appreciation Day serves as an occasion to remind your staff about their value which should be done regularly. Set every first Friday of March, this day strives to appreciate the efforts and commitment of employees. ‘Thank you’ always works as an initial step, but better appreciation helps in uplifting morale, relationships, and ultimately the overall culture of the organization.
If you need motivation, taking employees out to eat or better yet, putting them on the “Classic Wall of Fame” can make this year’s celebrations unforgetable. This post explains the importance of appreciating employees, highlights other ways to celebrate, and stresses the need for fostering appreciation as part of the organization’s culture.
Why Employee Appreciation Matters
There are undoubtfully a number of reasons why organizations and employees should appreciate and praise each other. According to multiple research studies, happy employees are always more productive. Recognition levels in workplaces are appreciated globally. A Gallup survey asserts that employees who feel recognized are four times more engaged and productive at work.
Here are some key benefits of showing appreciation to your team:
• Improved morale: Employee Appreciation contributions are always important and providing this appriciate gives them the motivation ard encourages to achieve more.
Appreciating employees often goes a long way, e.g.:
• Increased Retention Rates: Employees that feel valued are less inclined to pursue job openings elsewhere, ultimately making them stay in the company longer.
• Improved Collaboration: Encouragement cultivates respect and camaraderie amongst the employees.
Without a doubt, around Employee Appreciation Day, these benefits can be enhanced with actions that are sincere and well-planned.
Lunch: Taking Employees Out to Eat As An Example All employees like being treated and one way of achieving this is as simple as taking them out for lunch. Team lunches can be a true blend of work and pleasure: it is a productive event that encourages the employees to de-stress, socialize and bond with each other away from the formal office environment which usually feels routine.
Why Does It Work
1. It is Inclusive: Who does not like food? Always choose a place that has many menu items so that no one is left out.
2. Facilitates Connection: Meals provide the opportunity for relaxed conversations that allow team members to get to know each other beyond the sometimes-stressed workplace atmosphere.
3. Change of Routine: A different view, even for a brief time, is good for freshness of the brain and energizes the team.
Perfect Meal Planning Dunston suggests useful tips below:
• Correct Venue Choice: The restaurant should be able to cater for a variety of dietary needs and preferences. It would be best if it is a favorite local spot as well!
• Walk-Ins: In case of a large team, be sure to make the expected numbers known to the restaurant well in advance.
• Think Outside the Box: Perhaps try themes or entertaining activities such as a trivia session or a mini award show during lunch.
• Maintain Some Flexibility: If an outing is not possible, organize catering for the office and set up a nice dining area within the workplace.
Even this small effort demonstrates to everyone that the employees’ efforts are being appreciated in a fun and constructive way.
Welcoming The Classic Wall of Fame
Did you ever run out of truly creative ways to celebrate milestones achieved by employees over a period of time? The search is over, meet The Classic Wall of Fame. This idea allows employees to have the recognition they deserve in a more structural and permanent manner by turning bland office walls into an ever-evolving gallery celebrating success.
The Classic Wall of Fame, what is it?
The classic wall of fame is a designated area for honouring workers’ achievements, milestones and contributions to the company. Imagine employees captured in photos, certificates on the wall for the best performers, and plaques for years of service. This adds some much-needed motivation as every hardworking Employee Appreciation driving the organization will be reminded of why they work so hard.
How Do You Create It:
1. Choose a Visible area of Office: To start this off, select any open area in the office which can be seen easily when looking from a distance like a common hallway or break room.
2. Adjust The Content To The Audience: Add to it pictures, project highlights, quotes from colleagues, thank you cards or even add some stylish frames around them.
3. Rotate Regularly: Add a new display of recent achievements every quarter to keep things looking fresh.
4. Make It Interactive: Allow employees to submit their own shout-outs to be featured on the wall.
The Wall of Fame motivates individual achievement while also building team pride.
Other Ways To Appreciate Your Employees On Employee Day
In the event that taking your employees out for a meal does not suit you, or if you’d like to add some extra flair to the day, here are some engaging ways to celebrate:
1. Volunteer Together: Give the team a day off and spend it volunteering in your area. Working together for a purpose as a team helps to build relationhsips within the group.
2. Show them Custom Gifts: Custom mugs, notepads with their initials, or curated gift boxes. These items show thought and appreciation.
3. Comfy Day Pass: Allow employees a “Comfy Day,” in which they get to work from home, come in relaxed clothes, or enjoy an extra day off.
4. Set Up An Award Ceremony: Give out awards for light-hearted superlatives like “Most Likely To Brighten The Room”, “The Spreadsheet Wizard”, or for other specific contributions.
5. Recognition Video: Use footage from management to compile videos of thanks and compliments to be offered as a warm recognition gift.
Creating a habit of consistent appreciation throughout the year
There’s only once during the year to celebrate a staff’s efforts and this is on ‘Employee’s Day’ however there is a need to celebrate an individual every so often. Appreciate staff efforts and create appreciation culture through the workplace. Build an environment where an employee’s hard-work is acknowledged throughout the year.
These ideas will help integrate consistent appreciation into the workplace routines:
• Use Shout-Outs or Employee-Of-The-Month Programs: Help foster a culture where appreciating employees for their hardwork becomes the norm.
• Don’t Just Recognize Major Milestones: Take time to appreciate the little day-to-day efforts because they add up seamlessly.
• Be Open To Suggestions: Prove to your employees that you value their opinion by asking for their input.
• Recognition shouldn’t be just from the top, let all employees recognize each other’s efforts.
Creating a positive atmosphere at the workplace boosts their happiness as well as having a measurable impact of the team’s success later. Being appreciated gives them a reason to do their best, feeling appreciated in the process.
Your employees will appreciate having such a positive culture in the organization as it allows them to express their motivation while building valuable relationships, which can majorly improve retention.
