National Employee Appreciation Day – March 1st

We often become so wrapped up in work that we take our employees for granted, so the national ‘Employee Appreciation day’ taking place on the 1st of March 2019 can serve as a useful reminder of the importance of saying ‘thank you’ to our teams.

Clearly taking steps throughout the year and not just on one marked day is essential to creating a positive working environment. Gestures of recognition do not always need to be big, simply acknowledging that you’ve noticed a job well done can be just as impactful. Thank you notes, small gifts, trophies or rewards can all serve to help staff feel appreciated for their efforts which in turn encourages employees to go the extra mile at work. Equally celebrating achievements or milestones creates a culture that cares, where colleagues feel truly valued by the organisation.

Expressing appreciation for what a team member means to you or has done for you is no longer just a ‘nice to do’ but is essential for business success. It is now widely recognised that employees who feel appreciated and are engaged at work will be more productive and will be less likely to leave their position. In the 2018 summary by the CIPD of working lives, worker happiness and wellbeing was announced as the ‘single biggest contributor to good work and job quality in the UK’ (https://www.cipd.co.uk/Images/uk-working-lives-summary_tcm18-40233.pdf).

Mentor consultants can support businesses to improve their company culture, increase productivity and staff retention and promote overall employee wellbeing.