How Do I Appreciate Thee? Let Me Count the Ways. . .
It is the first Friday in March, and that means it is National Employee Appreciation Day. Today presents a good opportunity for employers to stop and review the steps they are taking to make their employees feel valued in the workplace. Employees who feel valued are more likely to be positive, engaged and productive at work.
A 2015 survey conducted by Glassdoor Economic Research revealed that for almost 57% of people, benefits and perks were among their top considerations in accepting a job. In fact, 4 out of 5 people reported that they would prefer new perks over a pay raise at work. The survey confirmed that the three core benefits that matter most to today’s workers are health insurance, vacation/paid time off, and 401(k) retirement plans.
In this time of low unemployment when many employers are struggling to attract and retain high-performing employees, surveys like this one provide valuable food for thought. Employers who want to attract the best and the brightest should offer more than a competitive salary. Based on the Glassdoor Survey Results, they would be wise to offer quality health insurance and 401(k) plans, as well as generous vacation and paid time off policies. Employers should also consider non-traditional employee benefits such as educational assistance/tuition reimbursement, gym memberships/employee wellness programs, paid sabbaticals, flexible work arrangements, workspace choices/improvements, regular employee outings, and formal programs for employee coaching and mentoring. Think, too, about furthering your unique organizational mission, vison and values with your benefits: Provide time off to clean the lakefront, tutor local kids, or work at a food pantry? Pay for audible accounts to encourage learning about the latest management trend? organize teams for local walks, runs, swims and paddles? Offer a weekly in-house massage therapist or yoga instructor? Have an office share for tickets to local arts, sports, and community events? Finally, Employers should ask themselves whether and how often they stop to recognize their employees’ hard work. Providing consistent feedback, routinely celebrating employee successes, and embracing rewards and peer recognition programs can go a long way towards making employees feel like valued members of a team.
So, by all means, take time out on this National Employee Appreciation Day to thank your employees. But, more importantly, consider the unique benefits that you can offer every day to reward employees for their contributions to your organization.
Contact the attorneys or HR professionals at Lake Effect HR & Law to if you have questions about how to make your employees feel appreciated.
