Employee Appreciation is something we believe in here at ClearCompany, and we make a point to incorporate it into our culture. From giving shout-outs on jobs well done to celebrating work anniversaries to Employee of the Year awards, we make an effort to recognize our A Players. That’s why March 2 is one of our very favorite days!
What is Employee Appreciation Day?
Employee Appreciation Day is an unofficial holiday observed on the first Friday in March in the United States and Canada. It is a day for companies to thank their employees for their hard work and effort throughout the year. It’s no secret why this day falls on a Friday. It makes it much easier for HR professionals and managers to help plan special surprises to thank their employees for their hard work.
Why is Employee Appreciation Day Important?
At ClearCompany, we believe employee appreciation should happen every day of the year, whether from peer-to-peer recognition, manager to employee, team member to manager, or any other combination therein. If you’re reading this, you’re probably working… which means a little appreciation would probably not go unnoticed. Your employees and fellow coworkers feel the exact same way. In fact, most employees would work even harder if their work was recognized and appreciated! A simple thank you, a specially planned day, some awards and encouragement given… can all result in real business results for your company and happier, healthier, more engaged employees.
How Should You Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day?
You’ll probably find list upon list of Employee Appreciation Day ideas with a simple Google search. But here are some ideas that go beyond just one day to help you create a culture of appreciation year round!
- Set up a peer-to-peer recognition system. Whether it’s part of your performance management system or your internal communications or something as simple as slips of paper read off during a meeting, encourage your employees to give props to those who worked hard over the course of the week or month. Encourage managers to keep an eye out for those who rarely, if ever, receive recognition so they can support them and avoid the exercise turning into a popularity contest.
- Give out work anniversary awards. Certificates, branded swag, electronics or something that goes along with your brand can be given out to employees on their work anniversaries. Not only is it a great way to signify their time with the company, it also is a great opportunity to mention their impact on the company with their work.
- Set up a little store. Remember those fungift stores at skating rinks and arcades? Did your school have a store that sold cool stuff? Make your own in your workplace. Gather supplies from vendors, company swag, some sweet treats and a few more expensive items like gift cards. You could even toss in a few vouchers for an afternoon off! Then give your employees a certain amount of fake money or tokens to award to others so they can purchase items. The catch? The money must be given with public recognition and appreciation.
- Get social. Many companies are active on social media, and since much of our lives are now spent on social media, it’s important to make sure they get recognition there, too. If you can, make sure to recognize a job well done on social media, whether it’s a tag in LinkedIn, a post on Instagram, or a shout-out on Facebook. Your employees shine when they know someone is rooting for them.
- Create a living monument to appreciation. Have a blank wall in your office? Use it to write on! Get all your employees in on the action. Whether you decide to provide markers and a white board, or you create a chalkboard wall for the project, the long lasting effects of your coworkers giving each other props will last even longer when they can see it every day! Plus, getting peers to give some recognition to one another will build engagement and culture at the same time!
Building an employee appreciation program is more than just an Employee Appreciation Day, it’s about espousing a culture of performance management, employee recognition, goal alignment and developing A Players. We’re here to help! Learn more about how ClearCompany can help you develop your employees into empowered and engaged workers.
