As the holiday season approaches, managers are looking for unique ways to reward their employees. Your employees are your most valuable resources, and it’s more important than ever to let them know how much you appreciate them. We’ve put together a list of ways you can reward your employees during this time of celebration.
1. Turn Your Holiday Party into an Annual Awards Ceremony
Publicly recognizing employees for their hard work inspires them to stay longer at your company, work harder, and build a culture of appreciation at your place of work. What better time to do this than the holidays? Spread the cheer by turning your company holiday party into an awards ceremony to celebrate your employees’ accomplishments over the last year. Include food, drinks, games, holiday-themed awards, and a gift exchange for an extra touch of fun.
2. Donate to a Charity of Your Employee’s Choice
Do your employees have specific causes they are invested in? One great way to show your appreciation during the holidays is to donate to a charity of their choice. Charitable giving is one of the best ways to connect with others during the holidays, so why not incorporate this idea with employee appreciation? Have your team submit charities to fundraise for and then vote on the cause you want to support. After you’ve voted, contribute a certain amount to that charity under your company’s name. This shows that you are invested in your employees’ interests outside of work and strengthens your connection with your local community.
3. Provide New Benefits for the Coming Year
Rewarding and recognizing your employees is a strategy your company should take to reduce turnover and improve productivity. Show your appreciation for your workforce by implementing an employee rewards and recognition program. Investing in a platform that enables your employees to send personalized notes of appreciation boosts morale and encourages open communication. Additionally, if you find a platform that offers employee perks as well, employees will be excited to start the new year with discounts at their favorite local establishments, gym memberships to pursue their New Year’s resolutions.
4. Offer Extra Vacation Time
Employees are already traveling during the holidays and taking time off to spend with their families. One way you can show your appreciation is to make traveling easier during this busy season. Offering extra vacation time is an easy way to reward for employees for their hard work throughout the year. Plus, it demonstrates that you care about their work-life balance and their ability to celebrate the season with their loved ones.
5. Create Custom Holiday-Themed Rewards
If you’re already using a recognition and rewards platform, we recommend customizing your rewards offerings to be holiday-themed. Highlight rewards relevant to the holiday season, like discounts on on travel, car rentals, and gifts to help your employees extend their budgets as much as possible. The holidays are an expensive time of year, and if your company shows support for your employees’ budgets, they’ll feel much more valued as part of your organization.
6. Write Personalized Thank-You Notes
Recognition from managers is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make employees feel valued at work. A year-end thank you note from a manager can go a long way to make an employee feel like their hard work is recognized. The holidays are a time for showing appreciation, and a thank-you card is a great encapsulation of the holiday spirit. Allocate some time to write personal notes of appreciation for your employees, and remember that recognition is much more effective when it is personalized.
We hope these tips help you build places where employees love to work. Reach out to us to learn more about how Fond can help reward and recognize your employees this holiday season and year round.
