As Thanksgiving approaches, it's the perfect time to honor your team's hard work and dedication throughout the year. Showing your appreciation may be part of a broader, yearlong effort, but dedicating some time, and some of your budget, to your employees will go a long way towards maintaining and lifting team morale. Here are some suggestions to show employees that their efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Work From Home
The pandemic brought remote working to the forefront, allowing employees the ability to be outside the confines of the office, and for many, in their own homes. With more and more people returning to the office, offering the chance to work from home in the days leading up to Thanksgiving would be appreciated. This would allow your team to travel for the holiday and work from wherever they're celebrating, or simply give them more time to prepare for their own guests. Sometimes, the best gift you can give is time back in their schedule.
Think Outside the Box
One way to honor your employees' efforts at work is to value their creativity and talents. An idea that was popularized by Google as "20% time" - employees are encouraged to use 20% of their work time to pursue projects of their own design to benefit the company - could be scaled to fit your business as a way to boost your team's morale. Whether it becomes a regular part of the workweek, or is a perk offered monthly, this is a great way to show support for your talented team, as well as trusting their instincts.
Name Recognition
The most straightforward way to show your appreciation for your employees? Say so publicly! If your social media content doesn't already include "Meet the Team" profiles, be sure to add them to the mix. Recognizing long-standing team members in a blog on your website or promoting an "employee of the month" via email or social media allows you to shine a spotlight on the hard work your employees put in, day in and day out.
Let Them Choose
Your team is most likely filled with differing personalities, all with their unique tastes, likes, and dislikes. A gift card to a local restaurant or store is one way to let your employees decide how and when to treat themselves. At The Otesaga, our gift cards can be used for memorable meals, relaxing spa treatments, an energizing round of golf, or an overnight getaway. Let your employees choose their favorite way to unwind!
Whether you're working with a small budget or are looking to lavish your employees with a bigger gift, there are many ways to show your appreciation for the hard work your team has put in, especially during the last year and a half. Ready to start planning your next team retreat? Contact the experienced sales team at The Otesaga to learn more about our serene lakeside venue.