Employee Appreciation Day Celebration Ideas To Get Your Employees To Love You

by | Mar 2, 2015 | Blog, Employee Morale, Employee Relations, Employment Policies

  • Amy Newbanks Letke, SPHR, GPHR, is the Founder of Integrity HR, Inc. Amy provides workplace solutions to improve performance, reduce liability and increase profits. She is passionate about helping other entrepreneurs and business owners achieve success. Contact us for more insights - 502-753-0970 or info@integrityhr.com

Employee Appreciation Day is almost here! This year it falls on Friday, March 6. As a business owner or manager, you don’t want to forget this one. Remember: feeling appreciated can really boost employee morale!

Not sure how to celebrate? Our very own (much appreciated) employees, our HR consultants, share a few ideas for how you can show your appreciation.

1. Provide breakfast or lunch.
If there’s one thing employees (or anyone for that matter) love, it’s free food. Treat them to catered breakfast or lunch (or both!).

2. Host an office party. 
Celebrate your employees’ hard work with a party. If it’s warm enough in your area: A. we’re jealous and B. host an outdoor party. Provide your staff with cornhole and pay for a food truck (See, food pops up a lot. Hint, hint*).

3. Treat them to a few of their favorite things.
For a gift you know your staff will love, have your employees fill out a questionnaire asking for their favorite candy, fast-food restaurant, etc. Then, when Employee Appreciation Day arrives, gift them with something they mentioned. It’s great because you can keep their answers and surprise them all year long. We do this at our office and use it for rewards, birthdays or just because.

4. Give them some time off.
If you can spare it, allow your employees to take a paid half day. It is Friday, after all.

5. Write them hand-written notes.
Write each member of your staff a hand-written note stating one thing you appreciate about them. This is a personal and sincere way to show your appreciation, and employees will appreciate the thoughtfulness.

6. Treat them to massages.
A lot of massage schools offer services at a discounted rate. Find one near you and treat your employees to a day of pampering and relaxation.

These are just a few ideas of what you can do to celebrate your amazing employees. Make the day your own, be creative, relate it to your business, but most of all: show your appreciation!

In the spirit of the holiday, we’d like to say we appreciate you, our readers. We’ll even share this pro tip:
While Employee Appreciation Day is a fun holiday, showing appreciation for your employees should happen all year long. From verbal encouragement to uplifting post it-notes, make it a point to consistently show your appreciation.

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