Showing Employees Appreciation Directly Impacts Retention

Employment surveys share it time and again. Showing appreciation for your workforce impacts how employees feel about their work, how motivated they are, and how likely they are to stay with a company. In fact, when employees feel appreciated, there are 5 times greater odds of retention. As Human Resource Executives know, a company’s human capital is one of – if not the most – essential assets of a successful organization. Increasing retention through something as simple as showing appreciation is a hugely effective way to keep your workforce engaged, connected, and productive.

Showing Employees Appreciation Directly Impacts Retention

While appreciation and recognition are intertwined, they’re not actually interchangeable, and it’s important for managers to distinguish between the two. Employee appreciation is an ongoing act, often transformed into a dedicated program, that continuously allows an organization to express the value and worth of an employee or employees. This might present itself as a company policy or norm, perhaps that all employees get their birthdays off, or offering regular Friday lunches provided by the employer. It could also support retention efforts by developing a PTO plan that increases with years of service, or perhaps even offering paid sabbaticals for employees who have been with the company for a significant amount of time. Appreciation itself is not a singular action, but a programmatic approach intended to retain, engage, and connect employees.

Recognition, however, is a specific act, often something that workers earn as a result of completing a task or achieving a goal. Recognizing employees can be informal by giving encouraging feedback, a quick note, or just saying thanks. More formal recognition could come in the form of an award, promotion, or monetary compensation. Management should be consistent and inclusive with recognition to avoid perceptions of favoritism, but discerning enough to acknowledge those who are truly making a difference.

 

Employee Appreciation Day Ideas

As you prepare to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day this year, Flex HR has compiled a list of ideas to show your workforce some appreciation and boost morale. Try one of these this year:

Food – Have a bagel breakfast or cater in lunch for your staff. Maybe even have an ice cream bar break mid-afternoon for a fun informal snack.

Handwritten note – Ask leaders to write handwritten thank you notes to their team. As an added bonus – mail these to their home for a meaningful touch.

Desk gift – Give each employee a desk plant or inspirational sign to upgrade their desk décor. Even a bag of candy at each desk is a great surprise as well.

Volunteer – Spend the day volunteering as an office to encourage out of office bonding and giving back to the community.

Close early – Pick a day to close the office an hour early to go for happy hour as a group or let employees go run that errand they’ve been talking about before they have to head home.

Half day awards– Treat your staff to a half-day off they can use anytime the remainder of the year to use for themselves.

Work-from-home day – Give your employees a day they can use to work from home instead of coming into the office.

Social evening – Plan a social event one evening for employees (and even significant other’s) like bowling or a yoga session to mingle.

Witty awards – Have co-workers come up with silly awards for one another such as “Most Creative” or “Best Baker”

As an employer, it will always pay off to show appreciation to your employees. Finding ways to make this a regular habit, or better yet a formal program, will enhance the employer brand while improving engagement and retention. Happy Employee Appreciation Day!

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