From working from home and adjusting to life back in the office to the buzzword of the year, ‘hybrid working’, we’ve asked a lot of employees over the past two years, and they’ve delivered.
But have you let them know? In what ways do you show just how much you appreciate them?
In research conducted by The Reward Gateway, only 26% of managers believe that their company is actively praising them for their hard work and efforts or making time to acknowledge them.
Employee Recognition Day
Friday 4th March is Employee Appreciation Day, and, just like last year, it’s never been more important to recognise your employees and show them your gratitude for their hard work, resilience and commitment to your business. Whilst we all love a day of celebration, we firmly believe that your employees should feel recognised and appreciated throughout the rest of the year too!
It might not seem like much, but simple and thoughtful ways to show gratitude and that you recognise the efforts of your employees really can go a long way. In fact, one survey has highlighted that, out of those asked, 90% of people stated that employee recognition was important to them, but 62% never felt appreciated by their boss.
So, whilst the usual office-based rounds of applause, awards, and in-person team days aren’t always possible, we’ve come up with some swag-packed ways to show your employees just how much you care.
Holistic rewards
According to WorldAtWork, most companies rely on a combination of formal and informal recognition.
The world has had to navigate some pretty tough times of late whilst still showing up and getting the job done, so showing appreciation and gratitude counts for a great deal.
More so than ever, it’s vital that we’re taking care of our employees’ wellbeing. According to the Mental Health Foundation, we lose around 70 million days every year to mental health problems and stress, and we can all agree that this past couple of years have seen more individual stresses and concerns than we could ever have imagined.
Lack of recognition within the workplace can have a significant impact and can affect mood, productivity, quality of work and even diet, so recognition can help lighten what already feels like a heavy load at times.
With that in mind, why not consider giving your employees something that they can utilise for their own self-care and wellbeing? Time is our greatest asset, so a bit of time for themselves can go a really long way. Whether that’s personal training sessions, yoga classes, or even a wellbeing subscription service, whilst everyone is struggling to find a bit of space and time out during these full-on days, consider rewarding your employees with the gift of self-care.
Social sharing
We all share and share alike, right? But you can utilise your social platforms for sharing your appreciation of your employees too. It’s been reported that peer-to-peer recognition is, on average, 37.5% more likely to have a positive outcome. A shout out on LinkedIn, a mention in a company newsletter, an e-card that conveys your thanks loud and clear; it doesn’t have to be complicated but a personalised shout-out really is a great boost.
Serious swag
Let your employees know you’ve got their best interests at heart, especially whilst they’re working from home. Set your employees up with everything they need to arrive at their homeworking space and get into the zone. A well-thought-out Swagpack™ is just the ticket, from a cosy hoody for those cold desk days, a mug for that all-important caffeine, a candle and plant to bring a little softness, or even an eco-friendly lunchbox to ensure they’re taking that much-needed break.
For example, Nespresso wanted a way to say thank you to their 500 employees, so we created their ‘wellness themed’ Swagpack™ for their ‘TogetherMas’ event. As well as nurturing their employees, Nespresso treated the planet right, choosing a vegan candle, succulent plant and a nice cosy blanket. Perfectly packaged in a fully recyclable corrugated cardboard box; good for their employees and good for the environment.
Duvet Days
Did you know, disengaged and unappreciated employees cost the UK economy around £340 billion pounds each year? That’s money lost through training, sick days, productivity and innovation! The shift from working in an office to working from home means that the divide between work and home life is pretty blurred, and it’s not always easy to see when someone at work is struggling.
Employees are finding it harder than ever to switch off and enjoy their downtime at home, so why not give them the option to take a few Personal Days, outside of their holiday and sick allowance, a year? A couple of days a year that they can take off without having to give a reason why and without notice. Perfect for those days when you just feel a bit ‘meh’.
Our rewards and recognition for employees should convey our appreciation all year round. Celebrate the daily wins, the monthly achievements, but most of all, make sure you’re showing your attitude for gratitude towards your employees who’ve continued to push through and show up during the toughest of times.
Fancy creating some gratitude-style swag? Contact us today!
