The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for many companies. Many CEOs and managers are stressed out because they need to close deals fast and make plans for the new year. At the same time, they must deal with employees asking for days off, and the whole working environment becomes extremely tense.
However, there are ways to stay organized and on schedule with projects. The holiday season is at the same time special. Workers set up Secret Santa gift-giving sessions, and the overall ambiance at the office is fun and merry.
Showing your employees some appreciation for the work they’ve done throughout the year is highly recommended. It is an opportunity for entrepreneur and business owners to let their guard down and ditch the bossy attitude.
Employee recognition begins in the office
Most people who quit their jobs, do it because they feel unappreciated. As a matter of fact, 65% of people in the US claim that their bosses don’t care about their wellbeing. In that case, rather than work in a stressful environment, capable employees prefer to leave.
Employee recognition comes in a wealth of different forms. Recognition-focused events such as team building, brainstorming sessions, games, and special working days (e.g. Mojito Fridays) contribute to the level of motivation and engagement people get at the office.
Office holiday parties can instill a sense of belonging. It is an opportunity for people to bond and socialize, not just work and scream at each other. As a company owner, it might be a good idea to show heartfelt recognition to the people that try every day to increase your company’s productivity. Get into the festive spirit with them and allow them to loosen up during the holidays; especially if you can’t afford to give everyone time off.
Office parties
Not all office parties are fun during the holidays. Some people see these events as an obligation. Others, look forward to decorate the Christmas tree, bring food, and set up a table for all the people involved. The owner of the company sets the mood. Invite employees to participate and make sure they are as relaxed as possible.
Ensure them all pending projects are not urgent; this will make them loosen up and not hurry to finish everything on time.
Rewarding employees during the holidays
When rewards come with lots of recognition, they seal the deal and bring lots of positive reinforcement. Both tangible and intangible gifts are appreciated. To an employee, a reward means that the job performed up to a certain moment is satisfactory. Feeling appreciated instills a sense of commitment and it drives people to work harder, strive to attain goals and grow professionally. Rewards accrue loyalty and the people in your company will become more attached by your mission statement.
If you can’t afford to give employees Christmas bonuses, you can easily consider smaller gifts: discount coupons, vouchers, paid vacation time, free admission to business events, and gadgets might be enough to keep them around for more than 1-2 years.
Outdoor holiday events
Set up a holiday event for your employees. A weekend trip to the mountains, an outdoor gathering, even a festive meal at a restaurant might appeal to them. Relocating business hours to an unconventional venue for events gets them out of their comfort zones. They’ll have more liberty to speak freely and they will feel a lot more comfortable in your presence.
Many companies say that the best ideas don’t materialize in the office, but outside the office in a laidback environment. The holiday season is the best time of the year to connect with people on a more personal level. A festive ambiance might be an opportunity for them to share thoughts they haven’t yet had the courage to share.
Celebrating employee recognition during the holidays must be done right. Leave your guard down, invite everyone to dress casually, and decorate the office together. Socialize and communicate with your people as often as you can, and they won’t hesitate to tell you want they need to feel more productive during business hours. The more attentively you can listen to them, the better chances you have to boost productivity and engagement.
Image licensed from Depositphotos.com
Leave A Comment