Summary: It's important to show employees how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication to your business. Employee Appreciation Day, held every year in March, is a great time to do so, but employers should remember to show their gratitude all year long.​
Employee Appreciation Day: Thanking Your Staff
Small businesses from restaurants to retail stores understand the importance of the role their staff plays in their organizations. Taking care of these valuable team members should be a high priority. Employee Appreciation Day is held every year March, and while showing your gratitude to employees this month is important, you should find ways to thank your staff throughout the entire year.
Why is Employee Appreciation Important for Small Businesses?
Staff appreciation and recognition are some of the key motivational factors in the workplace. When employees feel that their organizations care about their well-being, they are more engaged, are more satisfied with their jobs and ultimately more productive. Happy employees are
12% more productive in their careers, while unhappy employees are 10% less productive. A study conducted by the
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that 79% of employees say recognition makes them work harder.
Employee appreciation should be a part of a business’s culture. While celebrating employees once a year on Employee Appreciation Day is great, having a
recognition program in place all year is essential to keep your staff motivated. Saying thank you for a job well done can go a long way with employee morale throughout the year. Employees appreciate
sincere recognition from their managers, coworkers and even company leaders. It makes them feel good and lets them know that their work is having an impact on their company.
Recognition can be done privately or publically, as mentioned above. However, managers need to remember that some workers feel uncomfortable with public appreciation. Employers should ask their employees what they like as tokens of appreciation specifically for Employee Appreciation Day and throughout the year.
Employee Appreciation Ideas
Here are a few ways to spread words of appreciation to employees throughout the year:
- Communicate frequently: Make sure employees are kept up-to-date on what is going on within your organization and any changes happening.
- Send thank you notes: Sending personalized thank-you letters to your employees for their hard work lets them know they are appreciated, which can go a long way in maintaining or improving employee morale.
- Provide public praise: Celebrate employee accomplishments, such as when they’ve met team or company goals, by giving them praise in front of their peers and executives.
- Give extra time off: Award employees with a half or full day off that they can use later, or allow them to leave a shift early.
- Hand out gift cards: Give out gift cards to restaurants, grocery stores, or a type of service to your employees. This is a great way to support local businesses and show your appreciation to employees.
- Offer company swag: Gift company apparel, bags, pens and other swag to your employees.
- Provide food and drinks: Employers can provide lunch, snacks and beverages to employees in a safe manner.
- Connect as a team: Whether it is a video conference call or a group chat, keeping employees connected to each other and the business is important.
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This material is for informational purposes only and is not legal or business advice. Neither AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates represents or warrants that the information contained herein is appropriate or suitable for any specific business or legal purpose. Readers seeking resolution of specific questions should consult their business and/or legal advisors. Coverages may vary by location. Contact your local RSM for more information.