It’s that time of year again – everyone is reminiscent of what they were thankful for during the past year. The usual things come to mind: family, friends and good health. Are your employees on the list of things you are thankful this Thanksgiving season? Here are some ways to show gratitude for your employees this fall:
Say thank you
This may sound obvious, but a simple “Hey, thanks!” can go a long way. Your employees work hard and a little appreciation lets them know you notice. Saying thank you to employees can be in the form of a card, email or verbal comment – anything to let them know they are valued and an asset to the company. Check out these sample employee thank you letters if you need some inspiration.
Bring in a treat or snack
Everyone loves snacks and you can’t go wrong with treating your employees! Bringing in baked goods, healthy snacks or even lunch, to show your employees you were thinking of them. Let them know they’ve been doing great work and that you are bringing in a treat to show your appreciation. If it is a holiday or you’re celebrating a big success, treating your employees to an after work dinner or catered meal is a gesture that will really lift their spirits.
Bring a gift
Giving a gift is an obvious way of showing gratitude. Workers will appreciate anything unexpected and it will stick with them when they think about having to work late or are frustrated with a project. If you know your employees well, take the extra time and effort to give them a personalized gift. Maybe you know their favorite restaurant or that they love candles. Use the relationship you have built with your employees to present them with a gift they really love. Not only will you succeed in showing your thanks, your gift will be touching and memorable. If you’re having trouble coming up with a personal gift idea, these employee gift ideas may help you think of the perfect gift.
Offer an Experience
When giving thanks to your staff, consider experiences as group gifts for team building. Fun retreats or team-building activities are a great way to say thanks while strengthening bonds in the workplace. If a big trip or long retreat isn’t for your team, you can also plan more casual activities for your whole team to do together. Taking your whole team to a sporting event, movie or even happy hour is a great way for coworkers to get to know one another on a deeper personal and professional level.
Grant flex time or extra PTO
The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone. If your organization allows some flexibility, allow your employees to take flex time around the holidays. Allowing a few extra PTO days or flexible work hours can be a lifesaver during the busy holiday months. Your employees will appreciate your understanding of their busy schedules, and you will see a boost in productivity when they return with more focus and energy.
Showing gratitude to your employees helps to improve retention and keep a healthy culture. If you are looking for new employees to be thankful for, contact an Alliance Solutions Group recruiter for efficient staffing solutions.
