Employee Appreciation – for Your People for Your Business

Did you know that the first Friday of March marks Employee Appreciation Day, a day to celebrate those who keep your business growing? What do you do to show appreciation to the people who work for you?

In fact, why is Employee Apprectiation important anyway?

Showing Your Appreciation

It’s widely recognised that having productive and positive employees is important. Happy and engaged people are more productive, they provide better customer service, and are less likely to leave; ultimately these happier people are helping you build a stronger business.

You may have seen recently, James Timpson (CEO of Timpson) has released a book called ‘The Happy Index’. In it, he tells us that every week the company asks colleagues how they are feeling on a scale of 1-10 “that is the number one barometer of how successful our business is.”

Of their annual survey he says “we just ask one question – that’s all we need. That is how we measure the success of the business… It’s all about the happy index because if the leader has a high score on the happy index, their parts of the business always perform well and make really good money. Rather than trying to focus on making a profit, focus on having happy colleagues and measuring that.”

Showing your employees appreciation supports employee engagement and happiness, which are crucial for your small business. So, thinking about Employee Appreciation day, what measures are you using to value your people all year round?

Employee Benefits

The pay and benefits your company offers are key to showing people how they are valued – the foundation – so when small businesses get this wrong it can have a very negative effect.

Additionally though, non-financial rewards can also be incredibly important to employees. These benefits might include parental leave, savings schemes, company car and cycle benefits, or health and wellbeing benefits.

A private health insurance policy, for example, will show your employees they are valued and also help towards your duty of care. Your people are likely to appreciate a reduction in hospital and specialist waiting times, as well as access to treatments unavailable on the NHS. A policy like this will also contribute to reducing employee absences and accelerating returns to work, minimising disruption through planned absence. Such benefits help small businesses retain your people and attract the best available candidates into your organisation.

Your employees are likely to each have their own preferences and priorities for employee benefits so it’s helpful if you can identify options which support them with their concerns. Often younger people are seen to place more value on money and professional development, while older colleagues might place appreciate health benefits and flexibility more.

While there are many benefit options to consider, you may choose to do things differently – sometimes the unusual perks are the best. Going back to Timpsons, their company initiatives include having your birthday off every year, free use of company holiday homes, and even the use of the company limousine when you get married.

Professional Development Opportunities

Investing in employee growth through professional development will not only provide huge value to the individual increasing their skills, but also their team and the company as a whole. Professional development may come in the form of training and qualifications, skill-building workshops, or mentorship programs; but it’s not just about learning opportunities.

It’s also essential your people get good performance management support in their day-to-day work, with good opportunities for personal and career development. Individuals should have leaders who understand their wants and support them to achieve their goals, involving them in decisions that affect how and when they work.

The provision of coaches and mentors for employees who have show an aptitude for advancement is a significant benefit which – again – supports the company as well as the individual. Providing such support shows employees of career paths available to them and that the company is ready to invest in their future, enabling the organisation to retain people who might otherwise leave.

Providing opportunities for personal and professional development has huge value in supporting employee engagement and happiness, you’re supporting your people and giving your business options for growth.

Work-Life Balance Initiatives

Does your organisation offer flexible work arrangements? Remote working, for example, or compressed workweeks? These kind of agreements demonstrate trust and understanding, allowing your people to identify their needs and showing that you will provide solutions which work for them.

It’s been found that providing positive working arrangements for your people supports their mental health and wellbeing. Equally there may be other ways you can support employee mental health within your organisation.

Let’s also consider physical health, your organisation can provide support through discounted gym memberships, company sports and fitness intitiatives, or flexible working hours to allow for fitness sessions. Have you considered how you help your people with their physical and mental wellbing?

Recognition and Acknowledgement

Gratitude and recognition of a job well done can be very powerful; whether that’s an email, public thanks, Employee of the Month award, or a bonus payment. No matter how small, recognition and acknowledgement will help your people feel valued and improve employee engagement.

With such recognition, it is important to be specific. While broad gestures which reward a whole company or team may be appreciated, a personal note of thanks for specific contribution can mean even more.

Team Building and Social Events

Appreciation of your team can also be shown through team-building activities and social events. Whether these are celebrating company wins or individual birthdays, you can use these events as opportunities to show your people how much you value them, while also strengthening your teams sense of community.

When you’re organising team-building activities and social events, remember to let people know why they are happening and to organise something the whole team can enjoy.

Valuing Your People, Valuing Your Business

As a small business, you may not have the resources for extravagant gestures, but even small efforts will have an impact on employee engagement and morale. What’s important is to consider your people and what they will value.

I hope we’ve given you plenty to think about here. Thanks to Nicky Buckley of East Midlands HR and Simon Evans of WPA Health Insurance for their help. Within Your Business Matters we’re fortunate to have expert HR consultants, coaches, mentors, health insurance providers and others who can support you with your questions about employee benefits.

Have you already implemented any of these employee appreciation initiatives within your own business? Or something else? I’d love to hear your success stories and help you celebrate the amazing people who make your business thrive