Have you ever heard of Boxing Day? It’s not big in the United States, but countries like the United Kingdom celebrate it every year on December 26. While it’s now a day for sporting events such as horse racing and soccer (and the beginning of after-Christmas sales), it traditionally was a day for employers to give back to their employees with bonuses, gifts and time off. Even though Boxing Day isn’t celebrated here, now is still the perfect time of year to let your employees know just how much you appreciate them. Here are a few ways to do that:
- Say thank you: Encourage managers to give hand-written thank you notes to people in their team—noting how much they appreciate their attitude or what a great job they did knocking a specific project out of the park. It’s so simple, but so powerful. In fact, some employees appreciate a “thank you” more than a bonus or a raise. Keep this going in the new year by implementing an “MVP of the Week” program, drawing attention to an employee or team who is going the extra mile to succeed.
- Make it easier to live well: Healthy employees are happy employees, so consider offering a wellness credit for all employees to use in 2018. They can choose to spend it on anything health-related, like workout classes, a gym membership, cooking classes or visits with a therapist.
- Organize special events: Many companies have a holiday party, which is a great way to say “thank you” to your employees after a year’s hard work. It’s also a time for your employees to let loose and enjoy an evening of cocktails, food and socializing with coworkers. This doesn’t have to be a once-a-year thing. Organize an intramural sports league, such as basketball or volleyball, for employees to get together and be active on a weekly basis.
- Give a holiday bonus: If your company had an exceptionally great year, share some of the wealth with your employees. Even if it’s just a small amount, it helps motivate employees to keep giving their all and shows them you value their collective work. Bonuses can also come in other forms: Give employees an extra vacation day or let them roll over any unused ones from 2017 into the new year.
For more ways to show your employees appreciation, visit the following blogs:
- The Importance of Showing Employees Your Appreciation
- Creating a Workplace Wellness Culture
- Think Lunch Breaks Aren’t Necessary? Think Again
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