It's Never Too Late to Appreciate

Read the original post on actxawellness.com

Everyone wants to feel valued and appreciated—it is one of the most basic human needs. Moreover, there are a myriad of benefits of having a culture of gratitude, especially in the workplace. In a recent study done by the American Psychological Association, researchers reported that 93% of employees who reported feeling valued said that they are motivated to do their best at work and 88% reported feeling engaged. This study also found out that employees who feel more valued are likely to report better physical and mental health.?

I must say that the past 2 years have been difficult, and I believe many employees around the world would agree. Many have gone above and beyond to deliver for their organizations despite the uncertainties and immense stress. They have quickly adapted to huge changes in their working environment and it’s time to show them appreciation and gratitude.

I’m currently working in a hybrid arrangement, and there have been office parties, team lunches, team retreats and even D&Ds organized throughout the year! If you’re looking for more ideas to appreciate your onsite or remote team, here are some ways you can do so.?

1. Handwrite a Simple Thank You Card

We have become more reliant on technology than ever and for most of us, we communicate with our co-workers online. On days when I’m working from home, Whatsapp and emails are my go-to methods of communication.?

A simple employee appreciation idea is to handwrite a thank you note and mail it out to them. Handwritten notes come across as more heartfelt compared to the tons of emails or texts an employee might receive in a day. You can even consider adding a gift card into the envelope!

2. Shoutout Successes

While showing appreciation to your team in a private setting is great, sharing it with the entire organization will make your employees feel extra special! You may consider sharing the successes of your employees via company-wide meetings or newsletters, video calls or even social media feeds. Employees will feel like their work has been appreciated and they will be extra motivated to earn that spot in the company’s newsletters and social media feeds.?

3. Keep the Conversation Going?

Consistent communication with your employees is essential to keep them engaged.?

Scheduling one-to-one sessions can allow for a more open conversation with your team. Unlike weekly team meetings or presentations, a virtual one-to-one session gives you an opportunity for coaching, mentoring, and providing more clarity to your team. Personally, regular check-ins allow me to gain regular and valuable feedback from my superiors.

Hosting a happy hour is another great way to engage with your employees in a casual setting. Your team can enjoy a beverage of their choice while catching up on what’s happening outside of work! I have had some experiences with virtual happy hours and the people usually need a few minutes to “warm up”. Here’s a list of icebreakers and activities to avoid awkward silences at the beginning of your virtual happy hour!?

4. Pay Attention to Important Days?

A good way to keep track of these important days would be to add them into your calendar. It can be your team’s work anniversary, birthday, or any other special days that popped up in your conversations! For someone who forgets birthdays easily, adding my team and even my family’s birthdays to my calendars have really helped. Simply texting well wishes to your team or giving them a small gift will make them feel like a part of the family.?

5. Offer Virtual Employee Wellbeing Programmes

Starting an employee wellbeing programme demonstrates that you are invested in your employee’s health and wellbeing even though they are working remotely. These programmes can even provide an opportunity to increase online interaction and engagement amongst teams.?

To conclude

Appreciating your onsite and remote workforce will help in boosting engagement levels and retaining talent in the long run. However, we need to pay special attention to the remote workforce to ensure that they feel valued and engaged.

Check out Actxa Wellness if you’re looking to kickstart or improve your employee wellbeing solutions for your onsite or remote workforce!?