By Jason Richmond, CEO and Chief Culture Officer, Ideal Outcomes Inc.
National Employee Appreciation Day is just around the corner (March 4.) Naturally, employers are considering how they can show their workers that they care about them as individuals and the contribution they make to the business.
Perhaps a pizza party? A gift card? Giving them the afternoon off?
All worthy ways to show appreciation, of course, and ways that are typically used at companies across the country. But, hold on a minute. What’s wrong with this?
Companies that have an ideal workplace culture show their employees that they appreciate them—every day of the year. It’s not just an annual occasion when leaders can feel “OK. Done that.” And check it off their to-do list.
It’s important to let members of your team know that you value them all the time. Unfortunately, according to research at Harvard Business School, more than 80% of employees do not feel recognized or rewarded. That’s something that’s relatively easy to change, and companies don’t need a huge budget to be able to make a meaningful impact. In fact, rewards don’t need to be financial.
“Cash matters in people’s lives, but it’s not all that matters,” says Ashley V. Whillans, an assistant professor at Harvard Business School, “What really matters in the workplace is helping employees feel appreciated.”
Here are seven ways you can show appreciation that will resonate with employees and improve their workplace culture.
Perhaps a pizza party? A gift card? Giving them the afternoon off?
All worthy ways to show appreciation, of course, and ways that are typically used at companies across the country. But, hold on a minute. What’s wrong with this?
Companies that have an ideal workplace culture show their employees that they appreciate them—every day of the year. It’s not just an annual occasion when leaders can feel “OK. Done that.” And check it off their to-do list.
It’s important to let members of your team know that you value them all the time. Unfortunately, according to research at Harvard Business School, more than 80% of employees do not feel recognized or rewarded. That’s something that’s relatively easy to change, and companies don’t need a huge budget to be able to make a meaningful impact. In fact, rewards don’t need to be financial.
“Cash matters in people’s lives, but it’s not all that matters,” says Ashley V. Whillans, an assistant professor at Harvard Business School, “What really matters in the workplace is helping employees feel appreciated.”
Here are seven ways you can show appreciation that will resonate with employees and improve their workplace culture.