Thanking Your Employees is MORE Important Than Ever

Let’s face it – we’re happier when we’re grateful.   Showing your gratitude to employees year-round is important, even more important this year.  Employees are experiencing increased levels of stress and anxiety, anything from health concerns to childcare challenges to continuing to do a great job in a rapidly changing work environment. During this years’ crisis, it has been more important than ever to take the time to thank others.  To keep employees connected, help staff feel valued, and generate generosity.   Most understand the benefits of showing appreciation and thanks but more often we fail to  express it and often much less at work.  Expressing your thanks and appreciation often falls off the to do lists as leaders are busy putting out fires throughout each day. So, you know the importance of showing your appreciation and thanks to staff, but how do you make the time to do it? Showing thanks and appreciation does not have to be time consuming.  A simple thank you call or note goes a long way.  Try implementing one or more of the 3 P’s below this week and watch as your employee’s engagement increases:

• Public Appreciation –Through your weekly virtual team meeting or daily socially distanced team huddle; showing public recognition is a great way for you to communicate your appreciation. Always thank the entire team for their hard work.  Call out those key employees that went above and beyond for the week (or day).
• Popularize Paying-it-Forward – Encourage your employees to recognize and thank one another. While the leader sets the tone of showing appreciation, they are not the only one that should be showing it.  Set the example and encourage everyone to keep the appreciation going.  Team members will be energized by it and want to keep it going too!
• Personal Note- Your employees may be experiencing a variety of unique challenges from balancing work and family this year. Write a personalized note acknowledging their challenges and tell them how much you appreciate them continuing to deliver excellence each day.  This note may be just the extra boost they need to get through their day.

We all want to keep our top performers engaged and committed to doing great things.  By taking 5-10 minutes each day to show your team and individual staff you appreciate and thank them you are increasing retention and performance.  Both impacting the bottom line.  Need more help and ideas demonstrating appreciation and thanks?  Contact HR Elements today!  

Jessica Ondrovic