Employees are a company’s biggest asset and retaining talent can be a constant challenge in today’s market. Showing you value and appreciate your team can build a positive culture and help retain your employees. Appreciation should be shown throughout the year and should always be genuine and well thought out. Here are 10 ways to help make your team feel valued and demonstrate that you appreciate them and their hard work all year long.
- Randomly surprise your employees with treats
Find out what snacks and restaurants are favorites amongst your team members. At random times throughout the year purchase your team’s favorite snacks or buy lunch when they are in the office. For remote employees, mailing snacks or sending gift card to grab lunch will be well appreciated. Random acts of kindness such as these will go a long way in brightening up someone’s day and making them feel valued.
- Celebrate holidays like Employee Appreciation Day
Custom gifts that are branded with your company logo are typically favorites amongst employees. You do not have to purchase gifts that are extremely expensive, but something unique with your company logo can make anybody feel a part of the company.
- Start every meeting with appreciation
Starting meetings by celebrating the “Wins” and recognizing achievements, or someone who has gone above and beyond at work, milestones etc. will make employees feel seen and valued and that their efforts are appreciated. It will start the meeting off on a positive note and is a small way to continue to demonstrate appreciation throughout the year.
- Recognize employees on social media
Highlight your employees on your company’s social media accounts. This spreads the word throughout your network that you have exceptional talent and value their contributions.
- Surprise your employees with extra time off
Letting your team leave a few hours early on a random Friday or giving them an extra day off because of their hard work and contributions to the team will create excitement and show appreciation.
- Include Families
Family is extremely important, and more employees are prioritizing a work/life balance. Send something to your employee that the whole family can enjoy. Games, treats, and gift cards are a few examples of employee appreciation that the whole family can use.
- Call just to chat
Take time to call your employees and just catch up with them. Have conversations about them, their families, their hobbies etc. Get to know them beyond work and be genuine. Share some details about yourself as well. Building a strong rapport with your team should go beyond just work-related conversations.
- Have open conversations
Have an open-door policy where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns with you. This shows that you value their input and opinions.
- Encourage peer recognition
Create a space where your team can praise each other. Creating a peer-to-peer recognition program can allow one team member to recognize their peers for their professional contributions to the company. This creates comradery, and support while strengthening internal relationships.
- Offer raises and bonuses
Rewarding hard work and achievements with raises and bonuses is a direct way to incentivize continued effort.
Showing employee appreciation throughout the year is crucial to retaining your team members and maintaining a positive work culture. Whether big or small, appreciation can be shown in multiple ways by using these types of gestures, it can go a long way to helping you create a culture that raises morale and boots retention rates. Remember to remain genuine in your efforts and show appreciation all year long.
Bridge Personnel specializes in a range of roles in the Financial Services, Contact Center, and Non-Clinical Healthcare Industries. Contact us today.