21 Feb Employee Appreciation Day
March 1 is Employee Appreciation Day, held annually on the first Friday in March. It is an opportunity to recognize employees for their contributions to the success of the organization, to acknowledge employees for their dedication and commitment, and to recognize them for a job well done.
Now some experts will tell you they know how to best show appreciation to employees, including:
- Bringing in bagels, doughnuts or other treats
- Knowing their interests well enough to present a small gift
- Asking about their family, their hobby, their weekend or a special event they attended
- Praising something they’ve done well
- If you can afford to, giving them money as a “thank you”
While all of these are perfectly fine, they are not want employees really want (except, perhaps, for the money). So what can employers do to show their gratitude? Having conducted several Employee Satisfaction Surveys, Prestige recommends you try the following:
Tell them what their job is and how to do it
Employees want to clearly understand what their job is, how you want them to do it and what policies they need to follow. Be specific and give them clear instructions.
Ask for their opinions and ideas
Your employees know what does and does not work. Ask them how things can be improved and what can be done to make the team and the organization more successful.
Provide opportunities for self-improvement
People want chances for training and cross-training, and they like to attend professional association meetings.
Improve their work environment
Give them the tools to do their job. It could be as simple as a new desk chair or computer monitor, or to replace the ancient copy machine. Your employees will be happier and more productive.
Challenge and inspire
Most employees do not want to keep doing the same job every day. Challenge their skills. Also, show them that you are passionate about your work, and about the team. Share your vision for the company. Tell them what the company’s mission statement is and why it is important.
Actually say “thank you”
It doesn’t hurt to say please too. Showing your appreciation for hard work is appreciated by everyone.
If all else fails, you can always give them money. And, remember that employee appreciation should not be limited to one day each year.
For more information on this topic, or for assistance with conducting your own Employee Satisfaction Survey, contact Prestige.