It's that time of year again! Every first Friday of March, Employee Appreciation Day arrives to help us show gratitude to our special teams. But a simple pat on the back just won't do it for this holiday.
When it's so easy to get caught up in day-to-day tasks, or disconnected from stretches of remote work, this day has taken on a whole new meaning. Let's be honest, we all love a little recognition, and Employee Appreciation Day is the time to take it to the next level.
On March 3rd, show your team just how much they mean to you - and have some fun while you're at it! Here are some tips to help you make the most of this special day.
Hand Out Fun Awards
Break the mould on employee awards and get creative by recognizing your employees' special talents. Every team has an extraordinary listener, office barista, king or queen of communication, or Jack of All Trades. Taking the time to celebrate these under-the-radar qualities shows that you appreciate them for more than just their productivity.
Plan In-Office or Remote Activities
Employee Appreciation Day is an excellent opportunity to foster team spirit. Give your employees a chance to build better bonds with their teammates through fun in-office or out-of-office activities. Cultivating a fun and informal atmosphere is the best way to help your employees get to know each other and build trust, which can only result in more unified teams.
If you're holding a remote event, try your best to create an interactive atmosphere that doesn't remind you of a typical Zoom meeting. What's more, invite freelancers, contractors, and those who might not make up your full-time team too. Do your best to celebrate every remote contributor on your team – whether it's with a thank you card, a delectable box of gourmet goodies or just some dedicated face time. Any gesture of appreciation goes a long way.
Give Meaningful Gifts
Meaning is at the heart of everything we do and your Employee Appreciation Day should be choc-full of it too. When choosing gifts for the big day, branded or custom ones make all the difference. Gifts like these are a joy to unbox and demonstrate that your company cares to go the distance for their employees. Don't just celebrate the day 'just because.' Pour your heart and values into a special gift that will resonate with employees in a meaningful way.
Appreciate With Words Too
Bigger teams might find it harder to add personal touches through gifts, but never underestimate the power of a thoughtful card. Custom messages from managers or handwritten notes that accompany gifts matter more to employees than you can imagine.
Don’t Forget Peer Appreciation
Showing gratitude shouldn't be reserved for bosses only! Giving employees the chance to show appreciation for one another is an overlooked opportunity for building team morale. Plus, it brings more positive attributes to the surface in front of the team and to your radar.
Make It Into A Recurring Event
We've always been big on appreciation and truly believe in showing gratitude 365 days a year. Building appreciation into your corporate values or monthly (or weekly) structure leads to higher morale, attractive company culture and increased productivity. Consider integrating regular moments of appreciation into your team's workdays and establish a gifting program to make recognition as simple, yet rewarding as possible.
If you're celebrating Employee Appreciation Day to help make your team feel valued and cared for, congratulations – you're a great boss! As we've mentioned, appreciating your team has its perks, but if you're only doing it once a year, it's time to make it into a regular routine. The Saul Good Team has helped small and large organizations craft appreciation programs that nurture relationships and give back in priceless benefits too. We're always standing by to help you get off on the right foot. From our team to yours, we wish you a happy Employee Appreciation Day!