As a manager or business owner, you appreciate your employees’ dedication and hard work. This appreciation isn’t always visible to everyone though, and it can impact company morale.
You can illustrate your appreciation through gestures/gifts that are big and small. Showing your appreciation to your employees doesn't have to be something extravagant. A little can go a long way.
Show your employees how much you value their work through these seven gestures.
1. Say “Thanks”
A simple thank you goes a long way. Verbal praise shows more acknowledgment than none at all, and this recognition won’t go unnoticed. It builds a gracious, polite, and civilized work atmosphere.
When it’s due, a little thank you can be all your staff needs to hear to show their input matters and that you notice their contribution and hard work. That’s a win for everybody.
2. Win Them Over with Food
Everybody loves free food, and there are many ways to incorporate this strategy into the workday. Bring in sweets, such as cookies or doughnuts, for an afternoon pick-me-up. Cater breakfast, serving fresh muffins, croissants, bagels, and coffee. Throw a pizza party on a Friday—for no reason at all, other than to show your staff you’re thankful for their work. It’s a simple, delicious way to show your staff gratitude.
3. Build a Wall of Fame
What better way to acknowledge your staff than with a physical notice in the office? Create a wall that highlights exemplary work, similar to an “employee of the month” model. It’s a great way to boost morale and self-esteem, and it lets everyone know how well their colleagues are performing. Be sure their picture includes a note of the employee’s success.
4. Give Time Off
It doesn’t have to be the entire day, but retiring early on a Friday afternoon is an unexpected treat. This is a surprise freebie your team will appreciate. Letting your staff out early, even if it’s just an hour, feels much longer.
Treat staff to unplanned time off as a reward for their hard work. If it’s already a quiet day in the office, you have nothing to lose.
5. Small Tokens of Gratitude
Small acts of gratitude truly leave a lasting impression. If your employee always makes an afternoon tea, leave a packet of her favourite one on her desk. For that coworker who loves chocolate, drop off his favourite chocolate bar.
Include a note with the gift, thanking them for their hard work and dedication, or leave it in person with a verbal thank you. These small gestures are a nice surprise.
6. Ask for Feedback
Employees, especially those who are new or junior, will appreciate that their input is taken seriously within the company. Employee feedback is a company win for management because it often brings to light issues you were unaware of, and employees get the chance to give input when they may not normally have that opportunity.
Your employees will feel heard and active in contributing to the company’s success.
7. Delegate Ownership
A bigger way to show your appreciation for your employees is to slowly increase their duties and refer them to lead positions. Handing over bigger tasks is a subtle way that shows you trust them.
Letting staff greenlight or manage aspects of a project shows them that you value their expertise and trust their opinions. Acknowledge their suggestions in meetings and mention their name in relation to a new idea. People like to be acknowledged for their work, and it alerts other coworkers to their abilities. All in all, this is good for the future of your business.
Create a more effective workforce this year. Show your staff how much you appreciate them.
