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Four Ways to Express Thankfulness for Your Employees Thanksgiving instills an excellent rhythm of reflecting on the many ways we are blessed. In the workplace, appreciating employees is something we all know we should be doing, but with so much vying for our attention, it can become an afterthought—if we think of it at all. Effectively valuing employees boosts morale and can result in better work performance and employee retention. Monetary appreciation is important, but it isn’t the only way. Bonuses can often fall flat if they are the only way you are rewarding your employees. Below are four ways to show how grateful you are for your staff. (https://bit.ly/4hzaTou) 1.     Value their development. Show you value your employees by investing in their growth. Make yourself available for questions. After a large project sit down with them to review ways their strengths shone and ways they can be even more effective next time. Introduce them to collaborators that can assist in projects. 2.     Value them in the public eye. There is a reason the employee-of-the-month parking spot is a classic. Recognizing your employees in a group context cultivates a positive and affirming culture. This can be something as official as a parking spot or it can be as informal as recognizing key contributions verbally in a meeting. 3.     Value their input. Often it is more expedient to make unilateral decisions and not explain, but this can breed discontent in your staff. Including employees in decisions conveys respect. This isn’t practical for all choices, but even when you make a decision alone, explaining your process and rationale helps employees feel included. 4.     Value their rest. If you expect your employees to work hard, you should also realize the importance of time to unwind. After a large project, reward your employees with a paid day off. You could even throw in a gift card to a local restaurant for them to enjoy while they relax. How do you appreciate your staff? Have you ever had a supervisor do something for you that made you feel valued? Share your best ideas!

If you’ve ever worked in a grocery store - or even just braved the aisles the week before Thanksgiving - you know this truth: hourly workers are the heartbeat of it all. They’re the ones stocking shelves, managing chaos, and calmly answering “What aisle is the cranberry sauce in?” for the hundredth time that day. That’s why seeing some regional grocery chains step up in 2024 to really celebrate their hourly team members feels so refreshing. These are more than just perks - they’re acts of gratitude for the people who keep it all together and the guests coming back. 🛒 H-E-B Expanding their annual appreciation week into a whole month of celebrating their team members, with surprise giveaways (gift cards, gadgets - you name it) and boosting tuition assistance for employees chasing their goals. It’s gratitude with a side of long-term investment, and I’m here for it. Victor Nivens (my fellow Boomer Sooner fan with the glowing smile all the way to the left in the pic below), I know you’ve been busy in Houston spreading joy, haven’t you? 🛒 Harmons Grocery This employee-owned chain is rolling out a new “Gratitude Grants” program where team members can apply for funding to chase their dreams - whether that’s school, a creative project, or something completely unique to them. Oh, and they’re offering free mental health support!! Gratitude meets wellbeing. Aimee, anything else I missed here? 🛒 Hy-Vee, Inc. They’re taking recognition up a notch with quarterly appreciation days, but what makes it special? Employees get to choose their thank-you gifts. From curated swag to practical items they’ll actually use, it’s recognition that feels personal - because it is. Jessica Enos, Goody is great for last minute gifting btw! These initiatives? They’re proof that when companies invest in their people, it’s not just good culture - it’s good business at its core. Engaged employees stay longer, care more, and create those customer experiences that keep us coming back. I’d love to hear: what are y’all seeing companies do to show real love for their frontline workers this year? Or better yet, leaders, what’s worked for your teams? Throw your shares in the comments! #EmployeeEngagement #Leadership #EmpowerTheFrontline

Let me share a story about employee appreciation, So in 2009 I was working at a big shipping company night shift and the holiday season was upon us but I was relatively new to the company so I was intrigued when I was walking into work one cool night and the staff were passing out hot dogs to all the employees. At the time I was like thats pretty nice of them but when I opend the hot dog wrapper and bit into a cold hot dog it was one of the most unappealing things you could eat let alone receive as a gift for hard work. I didnt want to be ungrateful so I ate it and didnt really think to much of it. As I got into the building and to my station it was the only thing that the guys I was working with were talking about. But not only that for their hard work they got lousey dogs but they also shared that just a few years ago the company used to give out Turkeys durring holidays like Thanksgiving and really showed their appreciation to their employees, though this sadly was not the case as I worked there. I worked their for a few years and I never got more than a cold dog going in an out of work. I dont think they even had condiments to be honest. So why am I sharing this story? I really didnt care about the hot dogs personally but what stuck with me was the almost outrage that my coworkers had about going from turkeys to hot dogs. None of them ever complained to those who were handing them out nor ever wrote this complaint on a survey, or dropped it in a comment box. If you are in business, especially big business just know 2 things. 1. Never spend the money on a great service or product for your employees and think you can go back to a cheaper option and the employees will forget, they wont even if they dont tell you! 2. The offering you decide to provide and say thank you to your employees matters! I see it every year around this time. We get requests for Hot Chocolate or Coffee and big companies or companies that can easily afford what we offer is replaced with a cheaper option. Funny enough they always come back the following year and complain how bad the previous year was by going with a cheaper service or even doing it themselves. Unless you are in the gourmet drinks business, thats never a good option. Regardless of coffee or our service keep these two things in your mind for any future offerings you plan. I am always surprised how little employees are truly thought of in the corporate world. Your employees also dont need all their meals handed to them to earn respect. Great organizations and employees want to be treated well and shown genuine acknowledgment by employers when they do great things. Do this by offering great services to them and really put some thought about if you were in there position, how would you feel if you got a cold hot dog as a thank you?

❓How are you showing thanks 😊 and gratitude 🙏 to your teams in this season? 🦃 Check out these tips from TriumphantHRSolutions ⬇️

📣 🚨 National Employee Appreciation Day is Friday, March 1st! 🚨 📣   Here are some unique and cost-effective ways to show your team some love:   Entertainment: Hire a comedian, yoga instructor, facilitate a trivia competition, or bring in a sommelier for wine 🍷 education and tastings - all could be done in-person or virtually!   Virtual Happy Hour: Host a virtual happy hour and hire a comedian to provide the laughs 😂   Team Outing: Think interactive activities such as an escape room, bowling, mini-golf, axe throwing, karaoke or Topgolf. ⛳   Awards Ceremony: Present personalized awards to employees which reflect their unique talents and contributions such as "Team Player," "Customer Service Superstar," and "Rising Star." ⭐   Lunch or Breakfast: Treat your team to a meal, whether catered or in-office. Consider new or unique restaurants that are off the beaten path.   GrubHub or DoorDash 🚗: For remote teams, organize a group order for lunch delivery, allowing employees to order from their favorite restaurants on the company's dime.   Paid Time Off: Close the office early or grant additional PTO hours for employees to use at their discretion.   Sincere Thank-You Note ✍ : Express appreciation with a good old-fashioned sincere thank-you note. Handwritten, via email or Slack - kinds words can go a long way.   How do you show appreciate your team?

🌟 Holiday gifting to boost culture? Yes, please! Don't wait until the last minute—start planning your corporate holiday gifts now. From boosting employee morale to strengthening client relationships, early gifting prep brings benefits all around! Want to know the top reasons why this should be on your radar? We've got you covered. Read our blog for tips on making holiday corporate gifting a game-changer this year: https://bit.ly/3YDOMX2 Next week, we'll share the latest releases for Holiday 2024. But don't delay—send us or your Account Manager a message to get the ball rolling before it's too late.

Just as Thanksgiving, a time for gratitude, precedes the season of giving at Christmas, employees must feel valued at work to perform their best as a form of appreciation. So what exactly makes us Grateful to our Employers enabling us to offer our best work? Remuneration: Feeling valued by our employers is crucial, and this often comes from fair compensation. Whether it’s market rate salaries, commissions above a draw, or commission-only arrangements where we receive the majority of the invoice, these reflect our worth and expertise. Without feeling valued in our roles, it’s difficult to feel gratitude or deliver our best work. Career investment development is also key: Recognition, validation, and value can be felt through ongoing training, leadership opportunities, mentoring, and promotions. Such investments by employers make us feel appreciated and motivate us to excel in our roles. Flexibility and Culture: The concept of “partnership” is often considered the most effective way to manage. The best leaders and coaches are those who work alongside their teams and support them actively. When leaders demonstrate that they have our backs and collaborate closely, it fosters gratitude among team members. Offering flexibility—whether in terms of work-life balance or options like additional work-from-home days without financial penalties—shows that employers value and trust us. This gratitude and understanding from our employers encourage us to deliver our best work. When we gather with friends and family to celebrate Thanksgiving this week, let’s take a moment to reflect on what aspects of our current roles we are grateful for, ensuring that we are contributing our utmost effort and excellence to our jobs. As the year draws to a close, I encourage you to schedule a meeting with us to discuss your career journey. Let’s identify what might be lacking in terms of gratitude in your current role that’s holding you back from delivering your best work and realizing your full potential. Together, we can set the stage for your future success and a strong 2025! #thanksgiving #GratitudeAtWork #CareerGrowth

45 YEARS of service = a BADGE? 😨 Feelings on a postcard? Backstory: Mitch (my hubby & partner in crime) popped into Waitrose (we're usually Lidl folks) for fish fingers... it was an emergency dinner for our kids... obviously. The cashier admired Mitch's watch - a gift that his Dad had received from his employer for 30-years of service (that he'd then handed down to Mitch). The cashier chuckled, saying his colleague just got a BADGE for 45 years! Plot twist: Waitrose/John Lewis, known for treating staff well, actually offers major perks at 5, 10, 25 & 50 years. Think 6-month paid leave, bonuses, and yes, BADGES 😀. Employer check: ✅ Do you have long-service rewards? ✅ If so, is the entire team aware? ✅ Are there equal perks across functions? Employees: ✅ Ask long-timers about previous rewards ✅ Quiz HR on loyalty perks ✅ Grill potential employers Before committing decades, know what's in store! Waitrose/John Lewis loyalty program details in comments.

Being an employer in New Orleans is a unique experience, including the challenge of managing your team during the carnival season. Whether you have incountered employees running late or leaving early because of parade traffic, or showing up hungover / not at all, here are some practical tips to minimize employee-related Mardi Gras hiccups and keep the good times rolling: 1. Review Attendance and Time-Off Policies: Send a friendly reminder about procedures for tardiness and potential consequences. 2. Clarify designated holidays and emphasize the use of Vacation/PTO days for additional time off. 3. Establish Clear Policies on Employee Performance: Define your company's stance on sending employees home due to inability to perform their duties. Communicate how this may impact their pay. 4. Social Media Reminders: Reinforce social media policies to maintain professionalism online. Encourage employees to be mindful of public posts during the festive season. 5. Embrace the Carnival Spirit: If possible, close the office early, organize your own parade, or create a festive atmosphere by playing Mardi Gras tunes. The more you embrace the season, the smoother the ride. Remember, Mardi Gras is a time to celebrate and enjoy the unique culture of New Orleans. By being flexible, understanding, and proactive, you can turn potential challenges into opportunities for team bonding and a memorable carnival season.

In a time where dining out is increasingly costly, your employees might be opting to eat in the workplace more frequently. Why not express your gratitude with a branded Lunchbox? For $6.00 to $10.00 each, you can offer them a thoughtful gift they will truly appreciate. If you're interested in exploring similar concepts or other employee appreciation initiatives, feel free to reach out to me.