Everyday Tips for Showing Your Workers Appreciation

A skilled workforce is the backbone of any enterprise. Without a highly capable team by your side, profitability and sustainability would be forever out of your reach. In light of the many responsibilities your employees tackle with aplomb on a daily basis, it’s only fair that you show them consistent appreciation. Taking your employees for granted can lead to unhappiness in the workplace, job dissatisfaction, and high turnover rates. Of course, this isn’t to say that employee appreciation always has to entail a grand gesture. There are a number of little things you can do to ensure that your team members know how much you value their contributions.

Keep an Abundance of Snacks on Hand

A well-fed employee is a happy employee. With this in mind, make a point of stocking your break area with an abundance of snacks and beverages. Given the eating habits of most Americans, it’s a safe bet that many of your employees skip breakfast, which can lead to persistent grogginess and lackluster morning job performance. To ensure that every member of your workforce is able to enjoy a morning meal, place a strong emphasis on breakfast items when stocking the break area. For example, toast, bagels and mini boxes of cereal are great breakfast options that can be consumed quickly and at one’s desk. Additionally, for workers who need an early morning pick-me-up, make sure to keep a selection of high-quality coffees on hand.  

Don’t Be a Stickler When It Comes to Work Hours

When most of us think of full-time jobs, we picture a traditional nine-to-five workday. However, in many modern-day workplaces, these set hours serve no practical purpose. Workers will often meet their daily quotas well before quitting time, resulting in them being bored and trying to look busy for the remainder of the workday. Alternatively, some employees will work at a deliberately slow pace to stretch several hours’ worth of work across an eight-hour shift.

Forcing employees to remain at work after they’ve met their daily obligations only serves to frustrate and annoy. On the flipside, allowing your workers to leave after they’ve completed their work for the day promotes efficiency and shows your team members that you’re in tune with their needs. It’s no coincidence that many of the business world’s biggest success stories offer flexible scheduling.

employee appreciation dayInvest in Appreciation Gifts

There’s no better way to show someone how special they are than giving them a personalized gift. Whether you’re honoring your entire staff or an individual who’s put forth extra effort, there are many different avenues you can travel down. When it comes to rewarding your workforce as a whole, treating everyone to a fancy meal, day outing or wild party can help show your staff how much they’re valued. Conversely, if you’re in the market for an employee appreciation gift with a more personal touch, you can’t go wrong with an engraved plaque or trophy.

Celebrate Employee Anniversaries

Celebrating employee anniversaries is an effective way to show your team members that their hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. It can also make them feel more personally invested in your enterprise, which can inspire them to work even harder to ensure its continued success. There are many different ways to celebrate employee anniversaries, including cake at the office, catered lunches and a fun night out. To determine how each individual employee would prefer to commemorate their time at your company, take care to consult them in advance of their anniversaries.

It’s easy for business owners to take their employees for granted. After all, if there aren’t any noticeable signs of worker dissatisfaction, why change things up? Unbeknownst to many entrepreneurs, signs of employee displeasure and disillusionment aren’t always easy to spot. If a member of your team is feeling unsatisfied or unappreciated, this is more likely to be reflected in the quality of their work than their general demeanor. To keep your workforce happy and operating at peak efficiency, you’ll need to show them appreciation on a daily basis. Armed with the everyday pointers discussed above, you can set the stage for long-lasting employee satisfaction and workplace harmony.