Attention all people who work – tomorrow, March 4, 2016, is Employee Appreciation Day!
Write it down on your calendar, set an alarm on your phone, scribble a reminder note on your hand. Tomorrow is essentially the workplace equivalent of Valentine’s Day. So, it’s important.
In case you forgot to plan something for your hardworking troops, we’ve compiled a list of fun ideas you can easily execute throughout the day because, well, we’re nice. And it’s nice to be nice.
Source: How Sweet It Is
1. Bring donuts for breakfast. This one’s cliche, we know. But it’s effective. Donuts make people happy, unless they’re on a diet, in which case they’ll probably hate you for tormenting them with all the carbs. But it’s fine. The majority of the office will love it.
2. Write a personalized note. Spend some time tonight writing down genuine reasons why you appreciate every single person in your department. A sentence or two will suffice. It doesn’t need to be a best-selling novel. Just make sure it’s personal and, you know, from the heart and stuff.
3. Order pizzas for your hardworking comrades. Everybody likes pizza. But don’t grab a slice and go back to your cave. Hang out with your coworkers. Ask how their day is going or what their plans are for the weekend. In other words, be a human.
4. Massage Therapists. Whether they’re sitting at a desk all-day or running around like madmen, your employees will appreciate a couple moments of pampering. Back massages are irresistible to most people. They’ll feel more relaxed, more rejuvenated, and, most importantly, more appreciated.
5. Arrange a social gathering. Treat your department to happy hour or take them to the movies that night. Go bowling, take a tour of a local brewery, or schedule an outing at a nearby Paint Pub (those joints are crazy popular right now).
6. Pay for gas. Your employees spend a lot of money every month commuting to and from work. Show thanks by buying everyone gas cards. You’ll be their new favorite person.
7. Revive your office hangout. Does the coffee maker have a mind of its own? Has the lounge furniture seen better days? Are all the office plants dead? Go on a shopping spree and revive your office hangout. Then invite everyone to hang out in the hangout and admire the new atmosphere.
8. Charm and delight. Order bouquets of flowers and have them delivered to all the ladies in the office. For the dudes, buy them all a six-pack of their favorite beer.
9. Announce a half-day. If you’re the one calling the shots, show the office some love by letting them head home early.
10. Above all else, say thank you. Recognize the hard work and achievements of your employees. Don’t let their time and efforts go unnoticed. A simple thank you will go a long way, and it will remind your employees that they’re working in an environment that respects, admires, and appreciates their talents.
Employee Appreciation Day is a big deal. Not only because it encourages us to show appreciation to the ones we work with, but because it helps us realize how easy it is to express gratitude on a daily basis. According to a recent study from the American Psychology Association, over 60% of employees say they feel more motivated to produce high quality work when they know they’re appreciated and respected. Just like you wouldn’t tell your significant other you love them only once a year on Valentine’s Day, you shouldn’t limit your appreciation for your employees to one small Friday in March.
Show some love tomorrow. Bring in the donuts, the massage therapists, and the flower bouquets. But don’t forget how powerful and motivating daily acts of appreciation can be for your employees and the workplace environment.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” ~ John F. Kennedy