With Employee Appreciation Day (EAD) on the horizon, it’s hard to ignore that the workforce looks a bit different than other years. Employees are more disconnected than ever before – gone are the days of office pizza parties or after-work happy hours. So, how can employers continue to boost morale and show their appreciation for their staff? And most importantly, continue expressing your appreciation for your employees well beyond March 5 by offering benefits and resources that reflect their wants and needs.
Why and How Do You Show Staff Appreciation?
According to O.C. Tanner, an employee engagement, rewards, and recognition programs provider, “2021 is the year of employee appreciation.†How? The O.C. Tanner reportOpens a new window suggested that 31% of respondents said their workplaces are planning on celebrating EAD this year. In this report, 2,928 employees were surveyed across Australia, Canada, India, the UK and the US. Of the 36% who celebrated EAD in the past, 69% said they’re more likely to stay at their organization because of its EAD efforts. And, 57% feel as though the general employee appreciation/recognition efforts made by their organization and its leaders outside of EAD have increased since the beginning of the pandemic.
Another survey by BlackhawkOpens a new window , an incentive solutions provider, found that 90% of the employees surveyed said it is important for their employer to express appreciation for their contributions to the company. “Incentivizing and recognizing employees is vital to engagement—especially amidst the new working environment many of us are now in—and many employers are missing this opportunity to boost loyalty and retention,†said Jeff Haughton, SVP, incentives, corporate development & strategy, Blackhawk Network.
As the workplace of 2021 will keep evolving, employers need to look at new ways to make employees feel valued and appreciated. And technology will be a major role in boosting employee appreciation initiatives. Here are four ways how you can appreciate your staff that will go beyond March 5:
1. Practice gratitude and positive feedback
There is power in compliments. One of the key reasons why employers should practice gratitude and positive feedback even beyond Employee Appreciation Day, is because it makes employees feel valued. In a Harvard Business ReviewOpens a new window article, Alan Mulally, former CEO of Ford said, “It’s all about appreciating them, respecting them and thanking them at every step of the way.†The article further noted that 90% of employees believe that they should give compliments to each other more often.
Another way to express praise and gratitude is with affirmations (there are points for hand-written notes!). Studies reveal that when employers make their employees feel valued with written and verbal affirmations it reduces the negative effects of stress on employee performance. A Workhuman survey revealedOpens a new window that a “thank you†from your boss and support for personal/professional moments were the top answers behind receiving a bonus when asked what could make employees feel more appreciated in the workplace.
Also read: Empathy in the Workplace: 12 Ways To Outweigh a Paycheck in the COVID-19 World
2. Give staff access to an online or app-based mental health tool
The pandemic has presented many challenges for employers with respect to the employees’ mental health well-being. There is a larger need for mental health support now more than ever, and employers are taking heed to this critical need of employees. Mental health apps are a great way to support and connect with employees who need care. These apps are also effective, since they break down three important barriers to mental health – cost, access, and stigmaOpens a new window , LuAnn Heinen, vice president, Business Group on Health in Washington, D.C. said.
Due to the remote work setup, many companies have incorporated well-being activities into working hours, such as bringing in an expert for a workshop or a conference or webinar. In an article from SHRM, Brigitte Saria, chief people and infrastructure officer, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, said, “A large percentage of our employees are working from home, so the app is designed to make it easier to select and communicate with†mental health providers online. Some of the popular mental health apps include Calm, Journey Meditation, Joyable, Headspace, and more. Additionally, companies can introduce new membership or resources such as co-working spaces or gym memberships to promote the importance of mental and physical health.
3. Encourage staff to take breaks during the workday
Another way to appreciate your employees beyond the appreciation day, will be to encourage them to have regular breaks during the workday. Studies reveal that employees often feel worked up and eventually burned out when they work for long hours without taking breaks. This can negatively impact their productivity at work and hamper their mental well-being. To appreciate the hard work that your staff puts in, you can ask them to take short breaks throughout the day. A survey by Tork reveals that 81% of employees who take a daily lunch break having a strong desire to be an active member in their company.
In the UK, workers have the right to one uninterrupted 20-minute rest breakOpens a new window during their working day, if they work more than 6 hours a day. They also have the right to 11 hours rest between working days. For example, if they finish work at 8pm, they should not start work again until 7am the next day.
Also read: How Schneider Electric Is Reinventing Employee Well-Being in the Workplace: Q&A
4. Give your staff prepaid gift cards
“As employers design incentive programs this year, it is critical to select rewards that feel special, can be deployed quickly, and have digital redemption capabilities. Prepaid and gift cards are a great solution for these reasons, and our research shows they are desirable and effective,†said Haughton. The Blackhawk Network’s 2020 Multinational BrandedPayOpens a new window report found that 86% of employee respondents confirmed the receipt of a gift or prepaid card from their employer would make them feel valued. Further, 81% said it would motivate them to work harder and feel more loyal, and 79% conveyed they would want to stay longer with their employer.
Also read: 21 HR Technology Trends for 2021 That Will Shape the Future of the Work
Ready To Go Beyond Employee Appreciation Day?
Leaders and companies who display altruistic attitude toward their employees and staff will go a long way in the post-pandemic workplace. While companies often concern themselves with productivity and output, the pandemic has pushed companies to look at employee well-being, value, and sense of belonging from a microscopic view. The ones who will adapt to employee needs faster than before, will even gain a competitive edge over their business partners.
While a growing percentage of workforce is looking at new ways to cope with remote work stress, extending employee appreciation beyond one day will surely go a long way. In the end, companies don’t want overworked, overburdened, and stressed employees to run the business. If you make your employees feel valued throughout the year, it will boost your bottom line and bring down your attrition rate.
What are some of the other ways to show support and care for the staff beyond Employee Appreciation Day? Do let us know on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window .