Employee Appreciation Day is set for March 3, so if you’re a hardworking employee wondering how the best employers demonstrate their appreciation for their team — or, if you’re a boss looking for ways to show your support — know that it’s all about recognition.
Some companies go above and beyond when it comes to honoring the long hours and dedication their employees put in. Consider this: 35 percent of Etsy’s employees who have taken advantage of their new gender-neutral parental leave policy have been promoted. Their policy, implemented about a year ago, provides 26 weeks of paid leave during the two years after a birth or adoption. As for the 48 employees who took leave, half were women, half were men, and they were either promoted before, during or after taking leave. It should be noted that 41 percent of the Etsy employees getting promoted advanced to director level or higher.
[See: 7 Companies With Perks That Will Totally Make You Jealous.]
Now, not every company can match that level of generosity when it comes to showing appreciation for its workers. But be on the lookout for several ways that bosses and co-workers can make you feel truly appreciated, on March 3 and beyond.
You get complimented on your work. Sometimes even the smallest gestures of recognition can make a big impact. Hearing “Way to go!” or “Nice work!” on a consistent basis not only puts wind underneath your wings, it can also propel you to acknowledge the hard work done by your colleagues or someone you manage. A few uplifting words can go a very long way.
You enjoy perks. You can probably attest to rolling up your sleeves and working around the clock to meet an auspicious deadline, forgetting to eat dinner until long after the sun sets. To honor your unshakable work ethic, your boss may give you an extra day off or two once the deliverable has been met. He or she may also tell you to not mark your personal time on your timesheet. Or perhaps your boss takes the team out to a high-end dinner.
While you may prefer to have money in your pocket instead of the perks, know that this kind of recognition can be almost as valuable. In this instance, there’s no doubt at all that your boss cares a lot about how much you give to the company.
[See: The 6 Best Jobs for Work-Life Balance.]
You’re encouraged to take time off and not feel chained to your phone and email. An employer that really values their team and wants to ultimately boost employee happiness and productivity will want you to set an example for everyone else. When you take a personal day, log off and don’t respond to emails. Take your coveted break and also a technology detox. In turn, expect your co-workers to do the same without guilt.
Although deep down you may feel conflicted and want to feel like the place can’t run without you, reality will set in: it can and it will, even for a whole week. And technically, it should be able to. Train your backup point of contact for any emergency that may arise, and anticipate returning the favor when they take off. There’s nothing quite like returning to your job feeling refreshed and ready to take it on once more. Even a long weekend can make an impact.
You feel genuinely cared for. Nothing says, “I appreciate you” quite like knowing that someone has your back. And it all starts with being heard. You, your co-workers and boss should practice intentional listening with each other. Actively listen, ask questions and take action.
Plus, it’s important to work to reduce daily hassles. According to this Disney Institute blog, “Find out what bugs employees or makes their jobs more difficult. Resolving even minor annoyances can have a big impact.”
[See: 10 Reasons to Quit Your Job Already.]
Your work arrangements are flexible. When starting a new job, two things that are regularly negotiated (aside from salary and sign-on bonuses) are time off and the ability to work outside the office. If you’re able to do your job from home without your productivity suffering, a top-notch boss will acknowledge your hard work and offer you more opportunities to work remotely.
You work in an open, transparent office that fosters growth and wellness. Another way you’ll know you’re being treated right by your employer is your work environment. Do you have relatively easy access to people in leadership roles? Are there wellness programs (yoga, anyone?) available to you? More and more companies are moving toward this wellness model, which acknowledges that employees are people, not bots. And if employees are happy as well as healthy, well, that’s a win-win for all parties involved.
All employees should seek out a workplace culture built around appreciation and recognition. If your current employer isn’t on board, then it’s time to find one who is.
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Celebrating Employee Appreciation Day Like a Boss originally appeared on usnews.com
