The value of valued employees

As we come towards the end of a year we won’t soon forget, many of us will use these last weeks to reflect. It’s also an opportunity to show appreciation to those who have made a difference to us over the past 365 days; personally, professionally and *new term alert* pandemically.

While I certainly have friends and family to thank for keeping me sane throughout lockdown, it’s my coworkers that really deserve a shoutout. According to our COVID-19: Crisis or Catalyst report, employees have been working harder than ever in the face of crisis. Not only have they seen an astonishing rise in productivity (56%) and innovation (63%), but for many (66%) that extra impact may have come at the expense of their mental health and wellbeing. 

This is where the power of recognition and gratitude can make all the difference. We know that feelings of gratitude can help people savour positive experiences, cope with stressful circumstances and strengthen social relationships, and right now seems like the perfect opportunity to put those principles into practice. But when it comes to showing gratitude to your employees or your team, it can be a challenge to get the praise across in a genuine and authentic way. 

It may seem simple, but authenticity holds a lot of impact when it comes to appreciation, especially en masse, and a little heartfelt thanks can really go a long way. For some, a complimentary text message from the boss was better than getting a bonus. So how can you ensure that your people not only feel recognised, but that your gratitude comes from the heart?

To help you on your way, we’ve put together some tips:

1. Purchase with Purpose

Type ‘holiday gifts for employees’ into Google and you’ll be flooded with generic hampers and stocking stuffers. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for champagne truffles and gourmet crackers, but ‘the hamper’ can feel quite impersonal and just an easy way to tick a box. (Plus I get enough of those from the extended family already). Consider linking your gift to your organisation’s purpose to remind them of the valuable role they play in bringing it to life. Better yet – foster their career growth by gifting a tool or subscription that will help them enhance their role. A subscription to an online learning platform, for example, is thoughtful but also shows that you care about how they succeed in their career and within the business. 

2. Make it personal

Earlier this year we heard Kwan founder and advocacy expert Jon Burgess talk about the power of quality connections. Anyone can write ‘Happy Holidays and all the best for the year to come’, but taking a bit of extra time to personalise your holiday message will help you connect with your people and show them you take a genuine (authentic) interest in them. Call out examples of their achievements. Show them how they’ve added value over the year; not just through what they did, but how it made you feel and the impact it really had on you and the organisation. Let them know you’re thinking of them, and ask them what’s on their horizon, both at work and at home. Even the act of a simple handwritten note can truly elevate your message of thanks.

3. Time poor, content rich

Every business is different, and for larger organisations, bespoke presents and handwritten notes just won’t be achievable at scale. Gift cards are a great solution for company-wide appreciation (especially with awesome start-ups like digital gift card company Prezzee), but there are ways to add a bit of care and meaning to your message! 

Encouraging your employees to share what they’ve used their gift card for will amplify the holiday spirit amongst your team, while generating some fun curated content in the process. Shared externally, this can become a proof point of your EVP and Employer Brand, building your reputation as an employer.

4. Recognise loud, recognise often

There’s nothing less authentic than a regular, scheduled thank you, so avoid letting appreciation become an automatic, once-a-year activity. Look for opportunities to show gratitude at every step, every milestone and every project delivery, even if it’s something small – no, ESPECIALLY if it’s something small.

Gratitude is a prosocial and highly infectious behaviour, and those on the receiving end are often motivated to reciprocate what they get from others. That’s why at We Are Unity, we make a bit of time every morning to give people the chance to recognise anyone within the team (and link it back to our Behaviours for extra impact).

So, to quote the great Dr. Dre, ‘You better recognise.’ And why wouldn’t you? The right recognition strategy will enhance your employee experience by leaps and bounds, driving performance and the right behaviours such as communication, collaboration and trust within your business.

2020 has been quite the year, and its impacts will be felt for many years to come, but this final stretch is an opportunity to let the people around you know they’ve made a positive impact in your life. So lean into the holiday season and show some love and gratitude to your fellow colleagues and employees (and maybe raise a glass whilst you’re at it).

Here at We Are Unity, we pride ourselves on best practice appreciation. So, if you’d like to recognise your employees with more impact, get in touch with our team at hello@weareunity.com