The arrival of Thanksgiving is a time when companies strive to express their gratitude for the contributions of their workforce. After all, staff appreciation can go a long way this time of year. It makes employees feel seen and valued, boosting morale, improving the culture, and leading to other gains.
Finding ways to recognize your team is potentially challenging, especially since every employee may appreciate some gestures more than others. Fortunately, there are approaches that work well in the majority of situations. If you want to show your staff some appreciation this holiday season, here are some options to consider.
Offer a Personalized and Heartfelt Thank You
In some cases, a heartfelt thank you is an incredibly impactful way to express your gratitude to your staff. Plus, it doesn’t cost a dime, and you can offer one whenever an appropriate occasion strikes, making it versatile and useful outside of the holiday season.
If you want to make the thank you especially meaningful, it needs to be personalized and specific. Highlight traits that the employee possesses that makes working with them a joy. Mention key achievements that provided value and moments where their actions made being their manager easier. That helps ensure the worker feels seen for their individual impact, leading to a better overall result.
Provide the Gift of Free Food
When it comes to gifts, free food is often a simple, effective way to show your staff appreciation. A company-provided breakfast or lunch lets them enjoy some tasty treats during the day, which is also very motivating.
However, you need to make sure the meal occurs during company time, as expecting them to stay late for a dinner may not work for everyone. Additionally, have entrees that work for a variety of dietary restrictions, ensuring all team members can partake without issue.
Give Them Extra Paid Time Off
The holiday season is typically hectic. Many companies are wrapping up year-end activities while employees and managers are juggling busy personal lives. That’s why offering extra paid time off could be an excellent way to show your appreciation.
Consider giving your employees some extra hours they can use at their discretion (with management approval to ensure minimum staffing levels are maintained). If that isn’t an option, find ways to give them more free time using other approaches. For instance, transitioning to compressed workweeks or allowing employees to work remotely could be a suitable alternative.
Ultimately, showing your staff appreciation during the holidays (and throughout the year) is critical, allowing you to boost morale and create a positive culture. All of the options above are worth considering. Most are relatively low-cost, and they’re typically appreciated by nearly every member of the workforce.
Need to Recruit in Connecticut?
If you need to hire extra permanent or short-term employees to make the holiday season more manageable and create opportunities to give your team a break, A.R. Mazzotta can help. Contact A.R. Mazzotta to see how our services can help ensure your holiday season is stress-free, fully staffed, and productive.