Five Ways to Keep Your Employees Happy

Employee Appreciation Day is this month! According to the Harvard Business Review, there is a distinct difference between recognition and appreciation. They define recognition as “performance-based” and “about what people do” and appreciation as “acknowledging a person’s inherent value” and “about who a person is” (Robbins). Both are central ingredients to the workplace, and Employee Appreciation Day is a great time to reevaluate your practices.  

Most of us have had jobs where we did not feel appreciated or recognized. So, when we are the ones in leadership, how can we make sure that our employees feel valued? Glassdoor’s Employee Appreciation Survey found that “…seven in ten (68%) employees say their boss shows them enough appreciation, however, more than half (53%) of employees admit they would stay longer at their company if they felt more appreciation from their boss,” (Glassdoor). Here are a few tips to help keep your team’s morale high. 

Volunteer Together 

A group activity outside of the office followed by a team lunch? And you’re helping others? Best day ever. RealizedWorth ran a study and found that “70 percent of respondents believe ‘volunteer activities are more likely to boost employee morale than company-sponsored happy hours.’ 89 percent of respondents believe companies that sponsor volunteer activities offer a better overall working environment,” (RealizedWorth). Ask your team for ideas of places to volunteer or use something like VolunteerMatch.com, which also provides remote options!  

Not only will this give everyone a mental break from their daily responsibilities, but it can also shed light on the things your team is passionate about outside of work and let them see their peers in a different environment. Consider volunteering together in the morning, having a team lunch, then calling it an early day they can spend however they choose.

Recognize Accomplishments 

Publicly announcing big wins for the company is always great; however, going a step further and making specific callouts to the team members that made them possible is even better. If you notice an employee is picking up extra slack or producing excellent work, specifically tell them that you see their work and appreciate it. In the busyness of everyday life, we sometimes forget how far a little encouragement can go. Mark promotions, title changes, and major project completions with a little ceremony. These are great excuses to throw a pizza party or have a taco lunch. Food sends a big message when words fail! 

Encourage Peer-to-Peer Praise 

While recognition should come from the top, fostering an environment of coworkers praising each other’s successes is essential. This also leads to a greater sense of belonging and higher engagement within the company. Harvard Business Review states that “Because the recognition is peer-to-peer, it feels less like a performance review, and more like an organic expression of gratitude,” (Achor). 

For a tangible pay-off, try having your team vote on a coworker each month to receive a special prize (such as a gift card or an extra personal day) for their work. This gets employees thinking positively about their peers and gives them an opportunity to express that to management and to each other. 

Celebrate the Special Days 

Celebrating holidays is huge even in a professional context. It’s especially important to remember that there may be specific holidays your employees celebrate that you do not. Ask your team if there are any holidays they would like to add to the yearly calendar. Many people prefer to keep these practices private, but even if they do not choose to share, the act of simply asking can create a greater sense of belonging. “Workplace celebrations are tangible signals of what matters to your organization. It’s important to evaluate which traditions are being highlighted, and which ones might be missing.”  (Rogers).  

In addition to holidays, personal landmarks of birthdays, retirements, and graduations are great excuses for cookies, cards, and candles in the office!  

Pay Your Team Well 

This is the most obvious and yet most overlooked way to appreciate your employees. When it comes down to it, no amount of office parties or free coffee will compensate for not being paid fairly. Is someone’s position expanding? It’s time for a raise. Did your company have a particularly good quarter? Consider giving a bonus. Given the current job market, it is more important than ever to offer competitive pay. 

AmericanProgress.org states that “The pandemic has shifted the power dynamic between employers and employees, creating the tightest labor market the United States has seen in at least 20 years,” (Schweitzer). Employers are now competing for employees, so don’t let low or stagnant wages take you out of the running. True appreciation begins with putting your money where your mouth is and valuing your team’s time and skill. 

Remember that we spend so much of our lives working, so why not cultivate the best work culture possible? Show that you value your team not only as employees but also as people to create the most respectful, productive workspace possible.

Works Cited

Achor, Shawn. “The Benefits of Peer-to-Peer Praise at Work.” Harvard Business Review, 24 Apr. 2017, https://hbr.org/2016/02/the- benefits-of-peer-to-peer-praise-at-work. 

Glassdoor Team. “Employers to Retain Half of Their Employees.” Glassdoor.com, 13 Nov. 2013, https://www.glassdoor.com/employers/blog/employers-to-retain-half-of-their-employees-longer-if-bosses-showed-more-appreciation-glassdoor-survey/. 

RealizedWorth. “CSR in 2020: Trends, Guiding Questions and Resources.” Realized Worth, 23 Nov. 2020, https://www.realizedworth.com/2020/07/22/csr-in-2020-trends-guiding-questions-and-resources/. 

Robbins, Mike. “Why Employees Need Both Recognition and Appreciation.” Harvard Business Review, 31 Aug. 2021, https://hbr.org/2019/11/why-employees-need-both-recognition-and-appreciation. 

Rogers, Megan. “How to Celebrate Holidays (Inclusively) at Work.” Gather, 19 Sept. 2021, https://www.teamgather.co/blog/how-to-celebrate-holidays-inclusively-at-work. 

Schweitzer, Justin, and Rose Khattar. “It's a Good Jobs Shortage: The Real Reason so Many Workers Are Quitting.” Center for American Progress, 7 Dec. 2021, https://www.americanprogress.org/article/its-a-good-jobs-shortage-the-real-reason-so-many-workers-are-quitting/.