Why Not Build Your Own Employee Appreciation Week?

We all know employee appreciation is critical to the success of your business. As Andy Bailey, founder & CEO of business coaching firm Petra, says in “The Importance of Employee Appreciation”:

If you want to grow your business, you’re going to need great employees. Want great employees? Treat them right!

Business owners spend a lot of time and money recruiting and training good employees, he notes. 

“Sadly, that investment often goes to waste because owners don’t show their appreciation often enough.”

He cites a U.S. Department of Labor finding, which indicates lack of appreciation is the number one reason employees leave their jobs. 

“It’s not benefits, bonus structure or salary. It’s simply feeling that hard work is not recognized or appreciated.”

You can’t over-appreciate, he opines.

Forbes contributor Meghan M. Biro writes in “5 Ways Leaders Rock Employee Recognition”:

“People crave positive feedback, recognition they put in extra effort, acknowledgement of leaders and peers, the glow that comes with knowing an achievement has been seen, appreciated and celebrated.”

Why Not Designate a Special Day for Employee Appreciation?

It’s important to provide specific, personal recognition related to business objectives year round, but consider setting aside a day to show all employees your appreciation.

That’s what communications consulting firm SmithSolve does, as myHR Partner’s blog post, “Awesome Employee Appreciation Day Ideas for 2014,” says. A chocolate fountain flows in the break room all day, with fresh fruit, cookies and other treats for dipping, and employees receive gift bags of things to pamper themselves with.

Jack’s Glass hands out fun, fashionable company apparel, complete with logo, along with gift cards and gift certificates, like the gift certificates of gratitude gThankYou provides.

How About an Entire Week for Employee Appreciation?

Highlight Printing throws a great Employee Appreciation Week on Thanksgiving week, myHR Partner notes. It goes like this:

Monday—“Feed the Staff Day.” A kick-off brunch and homemade frozen pot pies for dinner and a copy of the cookbook with the pot pie recipe. 

Tuesday—“Pamper the Staff Day.” On-site 20-minute back massages and care baskets with candles, candy, car wash certificates, and other items to help employees pamper themselves. 

Wednesday—Framed awards for employees who received positive feedback from coworkers, “Dream Team” T-shirts, and a spiral sliced ham for Thanksgiving. You could give a gThankYou gift certificate for a ham or turkey instead, so employees can choose.

Then: two days off for the holiday.

Milwaukee’s Employee Appreciation Week Rocks the City

As this video, “Get Ready for Downtown Employee Appreciation Week, July 28 – August 1,” shows, people who work downtown get free food and coffee, discounts at participating businesses, and other rewards. You can see how much they appreciate it.

So, whether it’s an hour, a day, or better yet, a week, take time to appreciate your employees. They’ll be more engaged in your business and more likely to stay with you.

For more on building an amazing culture of employee appreciation and success, download our FREE ebook, “Winning with Workplace Gratitude”.
Click the image below and start sharing your appreciation today!

About gThankYou, LLC

Turkey Gift Certificates and Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are two of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand (Turkey or Turkey Or Ham), at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime. gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and our free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo. And, nearly all orders ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin. Contact: Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
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