As a business owner, one of your main responsibilities is to make sure your employees are satisfied and appreciated for the work they put in. And there are very good practical reasons to go above and beyond in order to show them just how much they are valued. Studies show that happy employees are on average 12% more productive than those who aren’t satisfied at work. Keeping that in mind, today we are going to take a look at a few ideas you can utilize in order to show your employees you truly appreciate them.
Reward their hard work
One of the most effective ways for you to show your employees you appreciate them is by recognizing the effort they put and rewarding them. For example, giving someone a bonus, promoting them or just taking them out for lunch are all great ways to reward an employee who has just finished a demanding task or given more than was asked of them. This will make them feel that the work they are putting in is being noticed and more importantly that it’s meaningful, motivating them to continue giving their best in the future as well.
Encourage them with symbolic awards
A survey has shown that for most Australians happiness at work is more important than the money they earn. So, a good idea that can help you use this fact to your advantage is to look to encourage and recognize your employees through more symbolic awards instead of material ones. Not only will this help you save money but, most of the time, a symbolic award can have a more lasting impact on a person or even your whole team. One such idea can be to look for customized awards, such as trophies, with special engravings that will make them more personalized and thus have a deeper meaning to the individual who receives it. This may sound like a hassle but there are in fact a lot of firms that you can turn to for a special engraving in Sydney and other major cities, so don’t hesitate to ask around.
Celebrate special events
On top of gifts and rewards, hosting parties in order to celebrate birthdays or work anniversaries is another great way to show appreciation towards your individual employees on those special days. They aren’t too costly as you only need a few things to get going, and the benefits you receive can be very significant as it can also be a great way for your employees to form bonds and build a better team spirit in your company.
Allow flexible schedules
While appreciating your employees through events a few times a year is important, an approach that can have a far more lasting impact is by making employee appreciation a constant strategy. All of your employees are bound to have a life outside of the workplace, and one of the best ways you can show them appreciation is by giving them more flexibility when it comes to their work hours. This doesn’t have to mean that they can come and go as they please, but giving them the ability to leave earlier if they have important plans or generally being a bit less strict about their work hours is a great way not only to show them appreciation but also to build good relationships.
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that sometimes in order to feel appreciated you don’t need to receive a fancy gift or a job promotion. In fact, most of the times, just reaching out to your employees and telling them that they did a good job and that you appreciate the work they put in can be enough. So, with that being said, don’t hesitate in reaching out to them the next time you feel they’ve deserved it.