The Best & Worst Ways Companies Show Employee Appreciation
Employee Appreciation Day was established in 1994 as a way for companies to give recognition to their employees beyond their compensation. Today, it’s become an anticipated holiday by employees and sometimes wrongfully ignored by employers. Some companies hit major home runs and others have epic fails going viral on social media for their lackluster efforts.
Why Does This Day Matter?
We spend the majority of our weekly awake hours working. Beyond finding fulfillment in your job, it is important that we focus on the wellbeing of our employees and our colleagues. Making others feel appreciated could keep your employees engaged and make them want to come to work every day. Clients enjoy supporting companies that are among the Best Places to Work.
Studies show when employees feel appreciated, it boosts overall company morale and leads to higher retention rates. In the current days of remote and hybrid work, it is more important than ever to keep your employees engaged and connected to their colleagues as well as the organization. Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace : 2023 Report said that only 31% of employees surveyed in the US feel engaged and are thriving in their role.
Things NOT to do
Send a “We Appreciate You” Email:
We’re cringing alongside TikTok user @astoldbygingerrr and the company wide email she received: “Employee Appreciation Day is more than just a day. We appreciate you all year round.” I’d imagine most people read that email thinking there would be a gift card embedded, a free day-off coupon, or maybe even an Oprah style announcement where everyone gets a car! But no, it was just an email that was probably followed up by other emails from co-workers and managers needing something from them. If this is the most you can do, don’t do anything at all, and then rethink your company culture entirely.
Invite Employees to a Mandatory Breakfast:
Instagram user @corporatedropout_confessions shows us the perfectly terrible “free breakfast” move by employers. Some of the cringiest aspects of this event include: forcing participation, asking employees to bring their own food items, and making an impromptu meeting out during the “fun.”
Conflate Revenue Milestones with Employee Appreciation
Sephora landed itself in the dog house for sending all of their employees a box of decorated sugar cookies when they surpassed $10 Billion in sales. For a company that benefits from influencers and daily users posting Get Ready With Me videos with their products, they had 10 billion reasons why they should have said thank you in a way that could have gone viral in the best way possible.
The Best Ways to Show Employee Appreciation
Create an Employee Store
You know what’s really fun? Getting to choose what you want. Employers can create a custom shop with an array of options that are unique and meaningful. At emblm, we can build your company an online store, source one-of-a kind items within your budget, and then ship them to your team members on a global scale.
Gift Additional Paid Time Off (PTO)
You know what people love more than work? Not working. If you didn’t get a gift in time, this is a great way to make a positive impact with your team. Adding additional PTO to their hours bank can go a long way and it says to your employees “you get it”.
Along with this additional personal time, give a gift they can use during their time off? Some of the best way I spend free time is with good food and good wine. Below are some of our favorite food related gifts.
Make Employee Appeciation an Entire Day
If you’ve got the budget, imagine giving your employees a day-off work, spending the day at an amusement park with their families, lunch provided by the company, AND sending everyone home with gifts! Wow, what a day and what a way to say “Thank you”. A friend of mine worked for PNC Bank in Pittsburgh and every year they hosted an employee appreciation day at Kennywood Amusement Park. Employees with families could bring their spouses and children, and singles could bring their friends. Admission was paid for, lunch was provided, and everyone went home with branded merchandise that people cared about. It was a day people looked forward to each year and certainly went a long way in boosting employee morale and strengthening retention.
Maybe you missed Employee Appreciation Day this year, or maybe you wrote that cringy email. Don’t worry, we can help. Contact us today for free ideas that will make your colleagues feel the love.
