My office is appreciating and helping others!
By TrvlArrngr
@TrvlArrngr (4045)
United States
September 20, 2011 6:12am CST
Every year we have Employee Appreciation Week in September. We, as managers, get to spend about 15 dollars per employee to give out little gifts and candy each day. We pick a theme for the week that we know we can afford. Last year we did sports week. We chose a different sport each day. Decorated with kids sports birthday decorations. Gave out foam balls, sports gear, candy,etc. We invite a vendor in each day to give them free lunch too. We give each employee a 10 dollar gift card from management and they get a gift card from the main company too.
This year I decided to go another route. Our theme is helping others. Instead of the little stupid gifts each day we will be giving out things that can be kept or donated. I will set up 3 boxes so they can take an item from the treasure box and either keep it for themselves or place it for donation in one of the 3 boxes. We are doing 2 local charities and 1 village in Africa. We are also giving them the option of keeping our 10 dollar gift card or donating it to the village in Africa. One of our employees has been helping to support her home town which is very poor. I have already purchased kids clothes, hygeine items, first aid kits, school supplies, food items, and lots more. The vendors will still come everyday with free lunch and they still get the gift card from the company. I have chosen a quote about giving or helping others and put a small picture near it and framed it. Each employee will get one to display on their desk. Each one is different. I thought they should have something to remind them of giving and helping others all year round.
I hope the employees are going to like it as much as our normal appreciation week. Do you think they will be onboard with it? I am going out on a limb with it. My director thinks it's a great idea. Does your company do anything like this? What else can I do during the week? We usually do trivia contests.
3 responses
@mamasaid (156)
• United States
6 Oct 11
It makes a difference when management rewards employees. I ran a law office for years and insisted we always show sincere appreciation on certain days - bonuses, spa trips, gift cards and letters of thanks. The people who worked for me were loyal, went above and beyond the call of duty and were always honest. If they were ready to move on, I gave them recommendations and they left on excellent terms. I think many companies have lost sight of the fact that each employee really matters and brings the entire working situation together. Way to go for being part of a company that cares!
@TrvlArrngr (4045)
• United States
6 Oct 11
I do the same thing! I recently had an employee that my boss decided to throw the book at. I wanted to give him another chance but was vetoed! I managed to get him another job - a better job - at a competitor for more money and he could work from home! I just feel better about myself when I treat my employees like I want to be treated!
@mamasaid (156)
• United States
6 Oct 11
I love to hear this, as that is what I used to do. My boss was so bad when I arrived on the scene that he tried to get out of paying disability for the girl I replaced (it was temporary for pregnancy) and I let him know (as a lawyer! duh!) there were laws to follow. We became long time friends and she landed a better job after I recommended her to a local office. I also insisted on a hefty raise, since I helped him avoid a serious situation with a former employee. Penny wise and a pound foolish. Treating employees as we want to be treated is taking the high road. It is also the only way businesses will start to improve and be more successful - word of mouth travels fast! People respond to gratitude, understand and rewards - not criticism, bashing and rudeness. It's human nature.
@Graceekwenx (3160)
• Philippines
20 Sep 11
This is such an zealous idea! Keep it up!
We dont have appreciation week in our company. In fact, we dont even give small gifts to our co-employees for their birthdays. Every quarter so, the birthday celebrants would give a lunch bash to the whole department.
In response to your other question on the other things that you intend to include in the appreciation week, you might want to solicit notes from the clients of the awarded employees about what they think about your staff. Not only will this boost the awardees but it would also serve as inspiration to the rest of the team. Good luck!
@TrvlArrngr (4045)
• United States
20 Sep 11
That is a great idea. I can make a bulletin board and post all the kudos on it for them. Thanks :)
@pro_ojha (600)
• India
29 Sep 11
hi Trv
It,s a nice idea to celebrate appreciation week. This way all employee feel proud for their work and full of energy. After all boost the productivity. This is a matter of jealous for those. one who not able to celebrate this kind of event in their com.
