At the end of this year not all companies are feeling jolly. Large holiday gatherings may not be fiscally sound however there are still options for you to show your employees you recognize their support and service. With employees working more for less, here are a few ideas for you to extend a meaningful and sincere end of year thank you for their diligent contributions.
Write Thank You Letters Enlist other supervisors and managers' help to identify the contributions of each employee over the past year. State your appreciation loud and clear in the letter and thank them for hanging in there through a tough year.
Meet and Greet Arrange for your CEO to walk through every department and shake the hands of everyone in the office. The commitment and authenticity of your leader will come through and his time and personal thanks will go a long way.
Give the Gift of Time. Recognize your outstanding employees with paid time off such as a half or full day off to allow them to spend time with their family and friends or to just relax.
Social Network Your Thanks! Through tweets, company-wide e-mail and web-posting -- list this year's accomplishments by thanking the key people involved. This will not only allow employees to keep engaged in company happenings, but will also reassure employees that their hard work has not been forgotten. They will appreciate being cited by name.
One-on-one Meetings Make sure your managers are encouraged to take time out for 1:1 sessions with employees. Staying connected, learning what their professional goals are along with finding out how their personal lives may have changed (kids in college, newborns, etc.) will allow you to manage day to day in a more positive way to achieve the most.
Be Happy No matter the budget -- holiday time should always be a fun time with an atmosphere of appreciation. Say thanks, be helpful and mindful of everyone in the room. Appreciation should never be just actions -- attitude is what counts!
Roy Saunderson is President of Recognition Management Institute, a division of Rideau, Inc. which designs and manages employee recognition and reward programs making a difference in workplace morale, increased productivity and profits. www.realrecognition.com
