Organizations with highly engaged employees realize many benefits, including improved business outcomes, increased employee loyalty, and higher retention. Employee turnover is costly in terms of time, energy, and money. What are you doing to make sure employees are engaged and want to stay?
March 1, 2019 is National Employee Appreciation Day. Use this opportunity to show employees they are appreciated. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Personal Messages - If you work in a smaller team, take this opportunity to handwrite (as opposed to email or text) a personalized message to let employees know how much they are appreciated, perhaps mentioning a particularly good job they did on a specific project.
- Provide Breakfast, Lunch, or Snack - Who doesn’t like free food? Take employees to breakfast or lunch or have it delivered. Maybe have the executive team cook! Bring in fruits and doughnuts for everyone in the morning or have an ice cream social as an afternoon treat.
- Paid Time Off - Since National Employee Appreciation Day lands on a Friday, consider letting everyone start their weekend early by sending them home after lunch with paid time off. Or give everyone a half day off to use when they want.
- Gift Cards - Gift cards are always appreciated, especially if they are personalized so each person gets one that you know he or she would use. Another option is a pre-paid credit card. If you decide to give gift cards, however, be aware that IRS guidelines state that gift cards are not de minimis benefits and must be included in employees’ wages.
- Team-Building Event - Create a list of fun team-building events within your budget and then let your team vote on which activity to do - from scavenger hunts and escape rooms to games at a beach picnic, the options are endless.
Not enough time or money to plan something for March 1? Not a problem. National Employee Appreciation Day is not meant to limit organizations to appreciating employees on one day. Rather, it’s a reminder about the importance of recognizing employees all year to keep them happy and engaged.
Let HEC help you assess and increase employee engagement through our Survey Services and Organizational Effectiveness programs.