Give Thanks to Employees

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It’s the time of year to reflect on the things you appreciate and a time to thank the family and friends who have contributed to your successes. There are a lot of things to be thankful for and as a business owner, one of those things is your employees.

Do you remember the last time someone told you that you were doing a great job? Really think about it and try to relive that moment of glory… Doesn’t it make you feel good?

That’s why it is so important to thank employees for the hard work they are doing. Recognition makes people feel good about themselves and their jobs. It motivates them to keep up the positive energy and hard work. Saying, “thank you” to your employees is about more than just a few simple words. It’s about lifting their spirit and giving them those same feel good feelings you remember experiencing the last time someone thanked you. In the spirit of the Thanksgiving season, here are a few epic ways to show gratitude to your employees.

Present a personalized gift. Know your coworker’s interests well enough to present a small gift occasionally. An appreciated gift and the gesture of providing it will light up your coworker’s day. Consider the employee’s personality and thank them with a small gift that you know they’ll love.

Take a walk in their shoes. Giving your employees time to step away from their day to day grind and experience something new is a great way to prevent employee burnout. Swap roles and allow them to be boss for the day while you take on their workload. Make the day even more special by allowing them to park in a reserved spot in the parking lot. Not only will they get to go through the pressure and stress you would encounter on a daily basis but you would also get to understand what your employees are going through as well.

Give them the gift of time. The most valuable way to recognize an employee today is through time —that is, time off, time to do something else besides work. It could be a day off to be with family, enjoy their favorite hobby, or a charity, or take a short vacation.

Let them bend the rules. If giving an employee an extra day off is difficult to coordinate, give them permission to enjoy an extra casual day at the office. Allow them to wear their favorite sports jersey, jeans, socks with sandals, or any outfit they feel most comfortable wearing (work appropriate, of course).

Let them eat cake…and other foods. The gift of food goes a long way when showing employees how much you appreciate them. And since Thanksgiving is all about delicious foods and spending time enjoying each other’s company, why not thank your entire staff by hosting a Thanksgiving luncheon. Give everyone the opportunity to enjoy a long lunch and take time to express your thankfulness. Invite your employees to talk about the things they are thankful for and make it a day of companywide gratitude.

The Thanksgiving season is a great time to recognize employees for their dedication. Finding simple and creative ways to show your appreciation does not have to be difficult. Be creative and try to come up with new ways to say, “thank you” this holiday and every day.

Need creative recognition ideas? Contact Levy Recognition for even more ways to tell your employees how much you care.

Showing Volunteers Gratitude