Employee appreciation day is just one day. Sure, it is a time to show gratitude for those who work with you and share the same vision and mission. But employee appreciation must become part of the DNA of a team. People thrive when they are reminded of their value, when they feel they are a force for good, when they are appreciated. Here are the ways Human Resources can show employee appreciation continuously:
- Provide learning opportunities that prepare employees for the future of work.
- Help employees find their purpose, so their work is meaningful to them.
- Mentor employees.
- Open the lines of communication and be transparent.
- Make the workplace a safe space for challenging the status quo and speaking your mind.
- Welcome questions and try to respond.
- Train employees, so they can be more efficient and understand processes and tech.
- Consider the personal and professional growth of colleagues.
- Applaud good work.
- Recognize employees in a way that suits them as individuals.
- Be fair in your treatment of job applicants and employees.
- Promote equity of pay and opportunities.
- Create a culture of inclusiveness and instill a sense of belonging.
- Have a plan for conflict resolution and mediate when absolutely necessary.
- Support better work-life balance.
- Build strong teams with a foundation of trust and respect.
- Ask about the needs of employees and take action in response when possible.
- Care about their mental health and wellness.
- Support their work friendships.
- Respect those who ask for help by trying to answer questions with sensitivity.
- Give them growth projects that help them move forward in their career.
- Help employees shift to the growth mindset.
- Let them explore relevant subjects that they enjoy.
- Spark creativity and support outside-the-box thinking.
- Be nice and set the tone for how people treat each other.
- Enable dreaming, so that people think big and gain ambition.
- Bring snacks when people are together in person because food unites and provides fuel.
- Communicate according to individual employee's preferences.
- Have integrity in everything you do.
- Be empathetic and compassionate, so that people feel they can come to you in good and bad times.
- Believe in employees, so they can believe in themselves.
- Stretch their minds, so they feel challenged and boredom never gets in the way.
- Give in sometimes, which can mean compromising or taking the pressure off them to allow for a necessary pause.
- When possible, take away busy work or unnecessary exercises, so they can focus on work that has the most impact.
- Help them avoid burnout by setting the standard for a healthy lifestyle and helping employees prioritize.
- Provide managers with the tools they need to create a positive work culture.
- Never tolerate discrimination or any other toxic behavior.
- Engage employees in coversation, so they understand you care and their voice is being heard. Make sure leadership is doing the same.
- Always be kind!
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