At Achievers, we couldn’t quite wrap our minds around designating just one day a year for employee appreciation. One special employee appreciation week, though — that can be a great opportunity to renew your commitment to showing your employees how much you value them.
Let’s celebrate Employee Appreciation Week
How can you spread employee appreciation across your organization? Below are a few fun ideas you can use to really show your employees what they mean to you.
Optimize the workplace
1. Create a mentoring program
Mentoring shows each worker that they matter, and creates new bonds of connection within the company.
2. Non-work lunch with the boss
Take your team members out to lunch, either individually or in small groups. Keep the conversation away from work topics; instead, spend the time getting to know each person better.
3. Team games
Make a list of fun activities (like bowling or laser tag) and ask your team to vote on their favorite. Be sure to offer appealing alternatives for anyone with physical limitations.
4. Do your employee’s job for a day
Draw names from a hat to choose one worker whose job you will do for a day. The chosen person will supervise you and make sure you do it right. You may just get a bird’s eye view of problems you weren’t aware of.
5. Crowdsource innovation
Send out an employee survey asking for suggestions on ways to make the workplace run more smoothly, then hold a vote and promptly implement the winning idea. Your team will feel valued and you may well see an uptick in productivity.
6. Add fun to the break-room
Spread employee appreciation by adding some fun to the workplace. Sometimes, having a puzzle to work on is a great form of mental relaxation. Toy stores feature an incredible selection of cute, wacky, challenging and compelling amusements for all ages, and just seeing them will lighten up everyone’s mood.
7. Upgrade office furniture
Do people’s chairs need replacing? Providing your staff with ergonomic and modern office furniture is a great way to ward off possible back problems and improve productivity. Your team will appreciate the fact that you care about their health.
Tip the work-life balance
8. Massage or manicure
Bring in two specialists and let each team member choose which luxury they prefer. Whether they end up with fancy fingernails or more relaxed shoulder muscles, it’ll brighten their day.
9. Housecleaning or window washing coupons
Arrange for a bulk discount at a local housecleaning agency, and give all employees coupons for a single session at their homes. Even the tidiest housekeepers will welcome a helping hand.
10. Free pass for time off or late arrival
These passes are sure to be coveted, and they’ll demonstrate that you respect your workers’ outside commitments. The flexibility of being able to pick a day to come in late, leave early or stay home will reduce the stress of conflicting demands, and will increase employee engagement.
11. Add a fountain for mental refreshment
The sound of water is proven to bring a sense of calm and well being. Add a small water feature to your office, with a fern or two, and green up the atmosphere of your workplace.
12. Gift certificates for childcare and dinner
It’s great to offer workers the chance to go out on a real date, but this can create extra expenses for those with young children. Professional child-care agencies offer gift certificates, allowing your employee to enjoy the luxury of a real evening out.
Offer rewards and recognition
13. Handwritten notes
Yes, we mean just sit down with a pen and a stack of paper. Think about what each person has accomplished this year, and thank them for their specific efforts and achievements. It’s simple and straightforward, and will put a lasting form of validation into your employees’ hands.
14. Flowers
Natural beauty isn’t just for women; dramatic and colorful floral arrangements can be created to appeal to all tastes, and show that you care about aspects of life deeper than just the bottom line. For large teams, a major assemblage can be placed where everyone can see it.
15. Gift cards
Everyone loves the luxury of getting to shop for free. Choose gift cards according to each workers’ preferences, or pick a type that covers so many different items that it’s guaranteed to delight every recipient.
16. Free gym memberships
This will add to your productivity by upping your workers’ fitness levels, and the extra exercise will improve their emotional health as well. Pair the memberships with some schedule flexing so employees can find time to actually get to the gym.
17. Artisan food delivery
Does your city have a gourmet cookie or cupcake delivery service? Handmade artisan food treats are becoming more common, and nothing says quality and caring like treating your workers to the best edibles out there.
18. Serve breakfast to your team
Reserve the first hour of one day for a truly great catered breakfast. Once the food has been brought, grab a coffee pot and start pouring the coffee and serving the waffles. It will show that you’re willing to go the extra mile for your people!
19. Create a team scrapbook
Ask everyone to contribute a few photos, and take some of your own as well. Use photo-editing software to create a printable book, add some personal compliments and then print one copy for each person on your team.
20. Broadcast your appreciation
Take to your company’s employee recognition platform and give a shout out to everyone on your hardworking team. Recognition, whether monetary or social, is always welcome, and it takes on extra power when it’s offered publicly.
Employee appreciation is most effective when it’s given out on a consistent basis and is an integral part of your daily routine. For more in-depth discussion on building up your employee morale, download our report on The Power of Employee Appreciation. And make sure to check out our infographic highlighting results from our 2018 survey on “New Year, New Job?”. You’ll be surprised to see how many people are planning to look for a new job this year and what it takes to retain them.
Are you looking for a great e-book on employee appreciation? Check out our newest e-book highlighting three ways to make recognition an everyday event.
