Organizations with a thriving workplace have this key ingredient in common — employee appreciation. Employee appreciation is the catalyst for active engagement, increased performance, enhanced creativity, sustainable job satisfaction, and employee well-being. But, in a world where we have days, or weeks dedicated to employee appreciation, its true purpose and potential can become convoluted.

While employee appreciation days or weeks are an excellent example of dedicating time and effort to showing gratitude for your people, there is greater value in weaving this sentiment into the fabric of everyday culture. This article explores how to show employee appreciation as a transformative strategy for elevating ongoing employee experience and organizational excellence.

Boost Engagement & Satisfaction with Staff Appreciation

In this post:

1. Intentional Interest & Connection

2. Prioritizing a Supportive Work Environment

3. Frequent Feedback

4. Regular Recognition

5. Wellness Programs

6. Special Events

7. Strive Wellness & Engagement Offerings for Employee Appreciation

Intentional Interest & Connection

There is nothing wrong with maintaining surface-level interactions at work, however, leaders and managers have a unique opportunity to tap into the potential of engaging individuals on a deeper level. When leaders take intentional interest and actively listen to employees’ aspirations, passions, and challenges, they not only get to understand their team — they build an environment where people feel heard and valued. Taking an interest in others is modeled and encouraged.

Creating authentic connections requires consistent and meaningful engagement, whether through regular check-ins, personalized feedback, or informal conversations that show genuine care. These connections not only enhance trust but also create an environment where employees feel more connected to their work and colleagues.

As leaders learn about the goals and strengths of their employees, they can provide guidance on how to bring their whole selves to work, boosting creativity and innovation, focusing on personal and professional development, and igniting a reciprocal commitment to the organization’s objectives. Employees that feel appreciated for being who they are are more confident and willing to rise to the occasion, be adaptable, and develop a sense of loyalty.

Prioritizing a Supportive Work Environment

The way we interact with our colleagues has a huge impact on overall well-being. Organizations that emphasize team-building, a strong sense of community, and collaboration create a supportive work environment where genuine connections thrive and employees feel included. Leadership and wellness teams can appreciate employees by offering team-building activities and/or events, cross-training opportunities, and emotional intelligence education. Here are some common ways organizations prioritize a supportive, wellness-focused work environment:

• Fitness and/or stress management classes exclusive to your group
• Health Talks on emotional intelligence, communication strategies, etc.
• Healthy Cooking Demos exclusive to your group
• Celebrating birthdays, milestones, accomplishments, holidays, etc. as a team
• Attending sporting events, volunteer opportunities, bowling, family picnics, etc. together
• Mentorship programs
• Cross-collaboration projects

Another vital aspect of demonstrating staff appreciation in the workplace is having policies and practices that address employees’ diverse needs. Establish work-life harmony by offering flexible work arrangements, providing mental health resources, and ensuring opportunities for professional growth. Supporting employees in this way represents the organization’s value for each individual, enhancing job satisfaction and retention, boosting engagement and motivation, and laying the foundation for a positive workplace culture.

Frequent Feedback

An often overlooked way to appreciate employees is by providing frequent feedback. Time is precious in the workplace — rather than waiting for formal annual reviews, find weekly opportunities to develop and encourage your people. This highlights your intention to strengthen the relationship, promote trust and accountability, and understand their capabilities and areas for growth. It also allows you to acknowledge small wins and offer constructive guidance in real time — simple, impactful opportunities that are all too often missed.

Knowing leaders and managers dedicate valuable time to open communication and continuous improvement reinforces employees’ investment in their roles, builds resilience, and boosts engagement. Helping employees develop a sense of ownership not only shows a genuine interest in their success — it helps align their performance with organizational goals and promotes a learning-oriented culture.

Regular Recognition

To supplement formal recognition events such as Employee Appreciation Day/Week, implementing consistent recognition practices is key to affirming staff appreciation and gratitude. Regular recognition aids in personal and professional development and reinforces the values that drive business success.

Recognition takes many forms, such as:

• Highlighting teams/individuals in meetings
• Sharing success stories in company communications
• Shout-outs on social channels
• Hosting a team event
• Leveraging engagement challenges to determine a winner
• Personalized notes
• Public bulletin/white board/digital channel shout-outs

In the daily grind, it’s easy to neglect even the simplest of compliments to those around you. Making routine praise a habit creates a positive workplace climate employees want to contribute to and replicate. Taking just a moment to recognize a colleague’s success, big or small, can boost their mood and renew their motivation.

As accomplishments are celebrated, everyone is encouraged to strive for excellence. We learn about one another’s strengths and are inspired by what they’ve done. Employee recognition is one of the most feasible, kindest, and impactful ways to convey appreciation for your people.

Wellness Programs

Nothing demonstrates an organization’s commitment to employee appreciation like investing in their health and well-being. Wellness programs are a holistic approach to supporting employees’ physical, mental, and emotional health with resources like health education, fitness classes, nutritional guidance, and mental health counseling. These initiatives convey an organization’s understanding that valuing individual well-being enhances the overall work environment and leads to a happier, healthier, and more motivated workplace.

Special Events

While it’s vital to integrate employee appreciation into work culture, hosting special events will always be a powerful display of gratitude. Organizations often bring Strive in to support Employee Appreciation Week, Open Enrollment, Health Fairs, and other events to bolster engagement with offerings such as:

• Chair massage
• Fitness and/or stress management classes and demos
• Health talks
• Healthy cooking demos
• Health fairs

Special events are a great way to give colleagues an opportunity to connect outside of everyday work interactions and tasks. Celebrating employees boosts morale, reinforces a sense of belonging, and contributes to a culture of appreciation and support that drives organizational success.

Strive Wellness & Engagement Offerings for Employee Appreciation

Strive supports both ongoing wellness programs and special events for organizations that want their workforce to feel supported and appreciated. From weekly recurring fitness classes that build team cohesion to chair massage events for a hint of luxury, Strive coordinates everything from start to finish, complete with communication materials and a registration portal to manage sign-ups and liability waivers.

Book a discovery call to explore how Strive can enhance your employee appreciation initiatives!