What is employee appreciation day?
Employee appreciation day is the first Friday of every March in the United States. This day can be celebrated by rewarding the team for their hard work and showing appreciation. For example, rewards can include hosting team games, going on field trips, or an extra cash bonus. Other options donating to a charity voted on by volunteers or allowing pets at work. Some workplaces will decorate for the occasion and add surprises in the employee break room.
Why is employee appreciation day needed?
Employee appreciation day exists to honor employees. Employee appreciation should be practiced more regularly than once a year in order to improve employee satisfaction and retention rates. You can get creative with ideas for employee appreciation like hosting feedback sessions for ideas to improve the business or creating a mentorship and education program that supports employee learning. Appreciating employees during the course of their service also helps your company reduce the turnover rate.
What is a good way to determine what to do for employee appreciation day?
First, determine the amount of time and/or budget you can set aside for employee appreciation day. Given this budget, ask your managers and employees for suggestions on what can be done. In order to be inclusive, make sure you ask your team to let you know if there are any restrictions that keep them from participating in certain activities. This can be done through an anonymous tip box. You can also check in with your managers and team members about any restrictions. For example, a team member that is pregnant should be given drink options that are not alcoholic.
Once you get all your suggestions and restrictions, pick a handful of your favorites that are most feasible and inclusive. Next, hold a poll in order to determine which option is the most popular. If there is a tie, have everyone revote between the options that are tied. Once you have your top pick, you can start planning.
Examples of employee appreciation day events and activities:
Time-based tokens of appreciation
- Personal Project Time: Consider giving team members a certain amount of time to pitch and work on a project that they would enjoy doing. Give team members the chance to have higher levels of responsibility, or try something they haven’t before.
- Half-Day Off: Time off is a great way to show appreciation for team members. It tells them you respect their personal life, and time with family is always a gift. You can use employee scheduling software in order to plan and avoid scheduling complications.
- Volunteer for the community: Find out what causes are meaningful to your team, and give them paid time off to volunteer for them. Or, considering partnering with a non-profit and getting teams involved with a project.
Team building tokens of appreciation
- Team Trip: Your team can bond together over a trip to the cottage or even a picnic at the park. Depending on the budget and time, find a trip that fits your team.
- Game day: Have fun together by playing board games or video games together! A little friendly competition can get everyone’s spirits up. Alternatively, you can play physical sports like Ping Pong or go bowling together.
- Buffet: Nothing brings people together like food. Have a relaxing time with your team and share stories over a hearty meal. If not a buffet, you can try brunch or dinner.
Gift-based tokens of appreciation
- Gift baskets: Give your team presents depending on your budget, whether it is a tasty snack or new technology. Include a personalized card to recognize the contributions of each team member.
- Donation: Make a donation on behalf of your team towards a cause that is meaningful to them. Employees like knowing that their company supports the greater good.
- Bonus: If you’re really not sure what to get your team, let them make the decisions themselves. Give them a bonus so they can spend it on whatever they like. You never know if a team member has extra expenses they can use a break from.
Work-based tokens of appreciation
- Recognition: You don’t need to wait until employee appreciation day to do this! Learn the names of all your team members and go out of your way to share your appreciation for what they do. When an employee puts in extra effort, tell them you see their hard work.
- Upgrade your breakroom: Consider adding in a cereal bar or a new coffee machine. Ask your team members if there’s anything they would like to make your breakroom more relaxing, whether it’s a massage chair or a mini-library of video games.
Official appreciation: Create a section on your homepage for employees of the month. Congratulate team members for their accomplishments, personal or career-based with a feature on your newsletter. You can also give shout-outs on social media.
