Employee Appreciation Day Show Your Co-workers You Care

Employee Appreciation Day Show Your Co-workers You Care Employee Appreciation Day Show Your Co-workers You CareShow the office some love.You work hard to show your family and friends just how much they mean to you. You strive to do the little things that let them know you appreciate the little things they do for you.But what about the people you spend eight hours a day with?The first Friday in March is Employee Appreciation Day. While this holiday is set aside specifically for bosses to give proper recognition to their employees, why stop there?Here are 10 easy (and affordable) Employee Appreciation Day ideas and ways to show your co-workers that you really do appreciate them.Say thank youThis is an easy one. Saying thank you, whether you do it in partie or with a thank-you card or note, goes a long way. Even the most easy-going of people begin to feel frustrated when they believe their work goes unnoticed or unappreciated.Take a mental inventory of the people you work with on a dail y basis and try to come up with one special thing that person does for you or the team as a whole. It could be big, like tackling a big project, or tiny, like consistently putting paper into the copier. Then, give them a personal thank you for the effort. Even better, this Employee Appreciation Day idea doesnt have to be limited to one day only say thank you all year roundBring in breakfastMany people rush to the office, trying to beat traffic and get to their desks on time. That means they may skip a few steps along the way. You dont have to line up a whole buffet with an omelet bar. Grab some bagels and cream cheese, croissants, or Danish rolls. Its always a popular treat and your co-workers will love you for it. Who doesnt love free breakfast? Just be sure to let them know that you did it because you appreciate their hard work.Bring in (good) coffeeWhile were at it, how many people in your office drop $3 or more every day to get their little jolt of morning java? Sure, theres a coffee maker in the break room, but chances are the boss isnt ponying up for the good stuff.Many of the most popular coffee chains and small, local roasters have coffee-to-go boxes that you can purchase and bring in to work. Its easy, not too expensive, and guaranteed to make your office happy, productive, and...maybe a little jittery.Offer to helpYou dont always have to spend money to show your appreciation. Simply offer your assistance. Is there something you excel at that others could find useful? Perhaps youre great at graphics or slick at putting together a PowerPoint. Think of those youd like to thank and then try to think of something you could do to give them a hand.Cant think of anything specific? No need. You can always just ask them how you can help and they may surprise you.Give kudos in a meetingWhats better than receiving praise for a job well done? Hearing someone else give you praise in front of co-workers and bosses is a great feeling. If you have co-workers whove g one above and beyond for you or your team, let the whole office know.This is the Employee Appreciation Day idea that keeps on giving in the office world. When that persons review comes up, your kudos may end up pushing that review in a positive direction.Take them out for lunchThis can be tough if you have a large group to thank, but even so, its worth it. If youre planning on thanking a small group, try to plan a day when you can all go to lunch together. It promotes office bonding and is a chance for you to thank them all together.If youre looking at a larger group, you may want to stretch Employee Appreciation Day into a week or even a month. It can certainly help the budget and will give you a chance to interact on a more personal level with each one.Clean up common areasLike it or not, people dont always abide by the rules of etiquette in the office break room. You know how there are always dishes in the sink? How about the microwave? Nasty. When is the last time you did your p art? Take a few minutes out of your day to do a good cleaning of the area. Make the coffee too. These are little things, but your co-workers will appreciate the effort.Even if you have a cleaning person who comes in to do these things, shouldnt you be grateful to that person, too? Theyll love you for it.Ask a personal follow-up questionYou have conversations with your co-workers all the time, and much of that talk is about work and different projects. But sometimes, things get personal. One co-worker tells you about his daughters softball game. Another mentions that shes shopping for a different car.Take a moment to think of those conversations and ask a personal follow-up question. Did your daughters team win? Did you finally settle on a car? What kind?A question of this kind is just one of the ways to show that you actually listen to your co-workers and pay attention to the details that they tell you about their lives outside of work. Theyll appreciate that.Creative candyOf course you could bring in a bag of Hersheys Miniatures (who doesnt love those?), but if you do, why not customize them? Your co-workers will appreciate the extra effort you put in to create that personal touch.Or, take the time to turn some delicious candy into art. There is no shortage of ideas out there for creative candy projects. Its fun, relatively cheap, and your co-workers will instantly know that you took some of your own time to make something nice for them.Small gift cardsIf all your ideas for Employee Appreciation Day seem to be expensive, just scale back You dont have to drop $100 on a gift card to say Hey, thanks for all you do. You can say it with just $5 or $10. The acknowledgment is worth more than the money itself.Go the extra mile and make it personal. Does Debbie listen to music at her desk all day? Give her a gift card to iTunes. Dominic comes in with a Starbucks latte macchiato every morning? Easy.By choosing a gift card that is specific to the individual, it becomes much more personal (plus, you know theyll use it). Whats not to love about that?This Employee Appreciation Day is the perfect time to show your employees or co-workers just how much you appreciate them. Once you see those delighted reactions, you may decide to do it on a regular basis. You can never be too grateful for good co-workers.Show your resume you care. Get a free resume critique todayRecommended ReadingHow to Show Your Appreciation on Administrative Professionals Day6 Ways to Impress Your BossWhat Kind of Work Culture Works for You?Related Articles