Mark your calendars; Employee Appreciation Day is right around the corner! March 4th is the day dedicated to appreciating employees for all of the hard work they provide and the success they make possible. Without employees, even the major businesses of today wouldn’t stand a chance at success.
This employee-centric holiday was launched in 1995 by Bob Nelson, a founding board member of Recognition Professionals International. Nelson wanted a holiday that celebrates employees, not just the execs and administrators.
In this week’s blog feature, our team of Gifting Experts invites you to discover four reasons why appreciating employees is crucial to success.
The proof is in the numbers
Beyond March 4th, employee appreciation should be an integral part of company culture, recruiting, retention, and team structuring. It’s important to understand the importance of recognizing and appreciating employees. When an employee feels valued, company culture and retention skyrocket.
- Studies show that 70% of employees claim that if managers effectively appreciated them more often, morale would drastically improve.
- 98% of HR professionals and 92% of employees believe that empathy from employers is directly related to employee retention.
- 79% of employees reported poor company culture as their reason for leaving
- 42% of employees report feeling that their management team fails at recognizing their hard work and contributions to the company.
“The way your employees feel is the way your customers will feel. And if your employees don’t feel valued, neither will your customers.” -Sybil F. Stershic, author and president of Quality Service Marketing
Ways to celebrate
Appreciation doesn’t have to be hard, check out some of the ways you can show your employees that they matter and you’re thankful for them.
- Host a company lunch
Something as simple as getting a meal delivered for your team is a great way to say thank you. Not only will a company lunch leave your workers satisfied with a delicious meal, but this will also provide an opportunity for co-workers to connect and mingle with one another. This also gives managers an opportunity to get to know the people on their teams, which helps employees feel more comfortable and respected in the workplace.
- Take a field trip
According to science, getting out of the office can do wonders for your mood. Knowing that, organize a trip or team bonding activity like going to a driving range, brewery, or an escape room. Spending quality time outside of the office setting can help you create a memorable experience for all.
- Give them a gift they’ll love
At Cultivate our goal is to change the way that companies think about and value appreciation. Invite employees to select a gift of their choice. Corporate gifting has the power to foster and improve professional relationships. 43% of survey respondents ranked “improving relationships with employees” as an advantage, surpassing lead generation and higher sales.
Whether you want to appreciate people on-site or online, we have gifting solutions that are made to fit your budget. Connect with a Gifting Epxert to get started.
- Make it a half day
Although this option may not be a great fit for every business, the gift of free time is priceless. Show your team that you’re thankful for all their hard work by giving them a three-day weekend to relax and unwind. Giving people the opportunity to rest and recuperate will in turn give you a team of people that feel recharged and motivated.
There are many ways in which you can appreciate employees, so make this March 4th a day to celebrate the people that make your business operate and flourish. Connect with our team of Gifting Experts to learn more about how appreciation can go a long way.
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