Blog. Employee Appreciation Day
March 5, 2020 | Author: Camilla Woods
Let’s Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day – Friday 6 March 2020
Increasingly companies in the UK are realising that lack of appreciation could be holding their workforce back from being productive. Many hospitality businesses are therefore embracing Employee Appreciation Day as a really effective way to recognise teams for their efforts throughout the year and to boost team morale by fostering a culture of ongoing recognition and appreciation.
Why is Employee Appreciation Day important?
In our working days we are naturally focussed on meeting the needs of the businesses we work in whether that’s by delivering excellent customer service; providing the friendliest check-ins service; creating and serving amazing food. Having one day that’s all about the team means we can celebrate all they do to make great things happen every single day.
What happens when we show our teams that we appreciate them?
Well a little bit of recognition can make a positive impact on employee motivation. Feeling appreciated helps increase morale; improve employee engagement and reduce turnover by nurturing loyalty to the company. Research* has also proven that recognition can boost oxytocin levels – that’s the chemical our bodies create when we bond socially, one that makes us feel cared for and this in turn enhances work performance and makes us more trustworthy at work.
Research in the hospitality industry in the US also found a strong correlation between employee engagement and guest satisfaction. So, what’s not to like?
Here are some tips to help you celebrate Employee Appreciation Day with your team:
Make it Fun
It’s a good idea to have a collective way of showing your appreciation to the team e.g. like providing some delicious food in the break room at lunch time and perhaps decorating it with a ‘thank you’ banner and balloons? And if time and space allow perhaps follow that up with a trivia quiz or other team activity? It’s a great way to get teams to know each other better in a fun setting, gets everyone in a good mood and gives a much-need break from all that hard work.
It doesn’t have to be expensive but it should different from the day-to-day routine. Appreciation is after all about spreading joy.
Make it Relevant
Think about why you are appreciating your team and communicate that to them individually. A note of appreciation should include what that team member really contributes to the team and how this in turn creates value for your company, customers and colleagues whether by their attitude, words and/or deeds. Consider how these thank you notes will make each employee feel acknowledged and valued. When a team member understands how their virtues add value to your business this can be an ‘epiphany moment’ for many and will encourage them to build on these values, benefitting both the individual and your organisation.
Keep up the appreciation
Remember that team appreciation doesn’t have to be stored up for one day a year. Show genuine appreciation to your team throughout the year and this will build a culture of appreciation across the organisation. Start by taking a look at how you currently recognise and reward employees to make every day an employee appreciation day. If you feel there’s more you could be doing more to celebrate your teams, why not do some research into other ways to show appreciation from regular team gatherings to celebrate success; focussing on workplace wellbeing; or offering professional development and opportunities to volunteer with a charity and give back to a cause close to their hearts.
Here at HA we’d love to hear your stories of how you show your employees you appreciate them please share your stories and pictures with us on social media.
(Research source: Forbes.com and Harvard Researcher Paul J. Zak)
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