What is Employee Appreciation Day?
Employee Appreciation Day is observed on the first Friday of March each year and originated in the US in the 1990s.
Its observance is spreading among organisations in Australia as employers want to schedule in a date of the year to make sure they show appreciation to their staff, rather than do so ad hoc or risk it falling down the to-do list and not recognising employees at all.
It is a marked day of the year for employers to thank their employees for their efforts, whether they have particularly gone above and beyond in the past 12 months, excelled on an important project or generally completed good work in their day-to-day activities.
Employee Appreciation Day ideas
There are many different ways in which employers can show their appreciation to their staff on the day.
Some initiatives to celebrate employees may take an investment of time and money but there are many low-cost options, too.
Awards
Formally recognising employees for their efforts can reward high achievers and cause others to strive harder to receive an award next year.
- Awards night: Host an annual awards ceremony in the evening of Employee Appreciation Day and present awards across various categories, whether it be for such things as ‘Best Team Presentation’ to recognise excellence or ‘Friendliest Personality’ to recognise the winner’s role in overall workplace morale.
- Staff retreat: Hold a staff retreat for the day for high achievers, which recognises their efforts as well as provide an opportunity for further professional development and team building activities.
- Wall of Fame: Set aside a wall in the workplace where achievements are listed and add or unveil employee names every year during a special ceremony.
- Appreciation letter: Write a letter or issue a certificate tailored to each employee , highlighting a particular skill that has been valued or achievement that is recognised.
Award recipients and the honours they are being presented with can be determined by the employer or by calling for votes from all staff in the lead up to the day.
Gifts
Free concert tickets or a bottle of wine may be appreciated by some employees but it will not be enjoyed by employees who do not like that type of music or drink wine.
Provide gifts that have meaning for employees or ensure they have some control over what they receive.
- Gift card: A gift card is an easy way that the employee can receive a token for their efforts that they will appreciate, as they can use it to purchase something they like.
- Charity donation: A donation to the employee ’s preferred charity can be a way to appreciate their individuality while doing good in the wider community.
- Special snacks or team lunch: Organise a catering company to provide lunch for the day or take employees to a restaurant and give employees an extended lunch break to enjoy it together. Or, make special celebratory snacks such as cupcakes or smoothies available in the break room.
- Care packages: Provide staff with a little set of goods to help them get through their work day, which may include coffee vouchers, stress balls, reusable bottles or cups and a candle they can take home to help them relax after hours.
- Coupons: Issue each employee with a coupon book, either filled with monetary discounts such as a free coffee from the local coffee shop, or work-related discounts such as the ability to leave 15-minutes early on the day of the employee’s choice.
Employers may be able to work with suppliers and clients to provide options that come at little cost to the bottom line.
Work perks
There are many ways in which an employee’s life at work can be enhanced that employers can announce or hold on Employee Appreciation Day.
- Approve a request: Survey staff to see what they would most like to see introduced at work over the coming year, such as installing a shower or change room for use by those who cycle to work or purchasing a foosball table to set up in the break room.
- Professional photoshoot: Engage a photographer to provide staff with headshots and portrait photos that they can use as they wish, such as for their professional social network accounts.
- On-site activity: Hire a masseur, yoga instructor, chef or any other personal services worker to come into the office to run a short session with workers as a group or individually.
- Training workshop: Invite a trainer or motivational speaker to upskill employees in general skills such as public speaking or a skill specific to their role, or host a First Aid session so that all staff can gain the life skill, not just the dedicated First Aid representative.
- Manager takeover: The employer or managers undertake the task of an employee/s, even for just an hour, to lighten their load as well as gain deeper insight into their roles.
Having a suggestion box available year-round can give employers insight into what employees value most for their once-a-year work perk.
Other ways to show appreciation year-round
March may not be an appropriate time for all businesses to be able to fund an employee appreciation initiative or take the time away from daily duties to recognise staff.
Consider what other initiatives can be implemented at other times of the year to show appreciation.
Reinstate pre-COVID events
Many businesses delayed or cancelled events because of COVID-19, such as their Christmas party or monthly team lunch at a local restaurant, and since work life has returned to normal, they have not been re-introduced.
Some businesses have replaced these events with other initiatives, such as gifting vouchers or Christmas hampers instead of holding a party, which can be easier for employers to arrange and co-ordinate than a party.
However, parties and other get-togethers may be missed by staff and going to the effort of reinstating them may be appreciated.
Allocate special leave entitlements
The hard work of staff can be appreciated by providing them with a day off.
Staff who have worked particularly hard on a project, including overtime, may appreciate receiving time off for their efforts after the assignment has been completed.
Or, leave entitlements can be awarded to employees to take at a time of their choosing. Some employees may like to have access to a day off on their birthday, while others may like to tack it on to the end of a public holiday weekend so they can have an extra-long mini-break.
Treat them on their work anniversary
Not all employees enjoy birthdays, whether it is because they do not like the attention being on them or they do not want to be reminded that they are turning another year older.
Instead of celebrating with them on their birthday, treat the employee on the date that they started working for the organisation. This also ensures the celebratory focus is on their input to and relationship with the company, rather than on a personal milestone. It can also recognise long tenure.
The office can still celebrate with a card and a cake and the employee can be taken out to lunch by a senior staff member. Or, the employee can receive a work-related gift, such as a new laptop or personalised stationery.
The goal for employers is to make their employees feel as they are valued members of the team and that their contribution is helping the company achieve success. Whatever way employers achieve this will go a long way to ensuring their workforce is engaged and satisfied in their work and therefore working as efficiently and productively as possible.
