Employee Appreciation Day: 3 Ways to Show That You Care

It’s Employee Appreciation Day! And after the challenges many of us have faced navigating working remotely during a pandemic, today is a great reminder of how important it is to show your employees that you care.

People across the globe have struggled to balance working from home and their personal lives during the events of the last year, so take the opportunity to show your team your gratitude on Employee Appreciation Day. With the pandemic hitting many companies hard, let’s look at a few ideas for affordable, yet effective ways to show your employees your appreciation today and all year round.

Send a Meaningful Card or Message of Appreciation

Sending a note or card letting your employees know how much you appreciate them can go a long way in boosting morale. Try to create a short, but meaningful personalized message that will really resonate with people. Not sure what to write? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

You are an invaluable member of our team. Thank you for your dedication and for being one of the reasons that our company has met its goals this year.

Although I’ve been busy lately, don’t think your efforts have gone unnoticed. I’m lucky to have you on my team and your hard work is an amazing asset to our company.

Just wanted to let you know how much we all appreciate your positive attitude. You are truly an example to everybody. Keep up the good work!

Schedule a 1-on-1 Meeting with Your Staff Member

How often do you schedule 1-on-1 meetings (virtual or in-person) with your employees to give them positive feedback and let them know they’re doing a good job? Although you may think you’re giving your staff an adequate amount of gratitude and accolades, many employees report feeling underappreciated. In fact, recent statistics show that 67% of managers thinking they are above average in offering praise and recognition to their employees but only 23% of their workers agreeing.

Taking a few minutes to speak to employees 1-on-1 and express sincere appreciation and positive feedback is an easy way to make them feel valued. No one wants to feel left in the dark and unsure if their boss thinks they’re doing a good job. Not only will the individual recognition you give motivate your team members, but it will also show them that you’re aware of their efforts.

Single an Employee Out for Good Work

Highlighting an employee for their accomplishments will help remind them how much you value them. You can consider something like doing employee spotlights where you feature a different person each month in a newsletter, on social media, or in a blog post. Another idea is to share an individual’s accomplishments or wins such as completing a course, finishing a major project, or getting kudos from a client. Depending on the size and location of your staff members, small celebrations for birthdays or work anniversaries are also a great way to show you care.

Don’t Limit It to One Day

While Employee Appreciation Day serves as a great reminder of showing your gratitude to your team, it should be something you do on a regular basis. Try to get into the habit of saying thank you and expressing your appreciation often—not just once a year. Consistently showing support and celebrating the achievements and contributions of your employees will go a long way in boosting company morale and helping your business thrive.

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