Staff appreciation

Definition
Staff appreciation, similar to employee recognition is outward display or verbal affirmation of how much an organization values their employees. Research indicates that organizations that value their employees and let their employees’ value be known, experience more satisfied workers, which results in decreased turnover rates. Sometimes, work life tasks can dominate the lives of everyone and showing appreciation to employees is often overlooked. Rather, employers may believe that it is the employees’ duty to do what he/she is doing. One day out of the year, there is a Staff Appreciation day dedicated to employees but also serves as a reminder to managers and supervisors to reward and show their appreciation for the people that support them everyday they go to work. Though there is a specific day, staff appreciation should expand beyond a single day. Organizations should be showing their appreciation for their employees on a consistent basis. It can be organized at any time by any manager in an organization and doesn’t have to be expensive or costly. In fact, organizations today are finding new and creative ways to communicate gratitude and appreciation every day.
Implications
As the lines between work and life become blurred, modern job demands often extend into the personal domain. As the “always on” or 24/7 workplace became more prevalent, so did demands on employee’s time and involvement. Job responsibilities began influence work-life balance and can generate individual stress. Simultaneously, the fundamental human desire for appreciation is often overlooked. As demands on staff at every level have grown, so has the sense of a lack of appreciation. These facets of the modern workplace propelled formal “Staff Appreciation Events” or “Staff Appreciation Days” into an organizations talent management programs.
Application
Every so often, organizations hold a staff appreciation event dedicated to employees with no reciprocity expected from management. It also serves as a reminder to managers and supervisors to show their appreciation for the people that most directly support the business goals every day. Though there is a specific day, staff appreciation is more commonly being displayed beyond a single day. Like most managerial actions, effectiveness increases with frequency of use. Organizations should be showing their appreciation for their employees on a consistent basis. As empowerment expands to all levels of an organization, staff appreciation events can be organized at any time by anyone. They do not have to be extensive or costly. Most “best places to work” organizations apply new and creative ways to communicate gratitude and appreciation regularly.
Staff Appreciation and Retention
64% of Americans who leave their job say its because they didn’t feel appreciated. This astounding statistic sends a clear message about the importance of staff appreciation how it can impact retention and performance. Most organizations use employee recognition programs to increase employee morale and to increase employee engagement (79%). Other common reasons are to reduce employee turnover rates (34%). Showing appreciation can increase employee loyalty and commitment to the organization because not employees feel embedded in organization. When employees feel these strong emotional connections, they are likely to disrupt it by severing or rearranging ties.
DO’s and DON’Ts of Staff Appreciation Events

DO’s
1. Provide your employees the chance to enjoy themselves and escape from work for an hour or for a whole day
2. Get involved and commit to make the event a success
3. Make it personal. Your employees know if you’re just going through the motions
4. Ask your staff to tell you about great work being done by employees throughout the company
5. Remember that this celebration is for and about your staff
6. Thank your employees regularly throughout the year
DON’Ts:
1. Make the event into a company information session
2. Just “make and appearance” at the event
3. Just say “everybody’s done a great job this year”
4. Forget that sometimes great work is done behind the scenes
5. Consider this the only time you should say

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