National Employee Appreciation Day
National Employee Appreciation Day:
The National Employee Appreciation Day is celebrated each year, on the first Friday, in March. This is the day when employers extend their gratitude towards their employees who toil each day for the betterment of their companies and praise their hard work.
Year | Date | Day | Where |
2022 | 4th March | Friday | United States |
2023 | 3rd March | Friday | United States |
2023 | 2nd March | Friday | United States |
Twitter Hashtags:
#NationalEmployeeAppreciationDay
#EmployeeAppreciationDay
Related: Other National Days Celebrated on March:
National American Diabetes Association Alert Day
National Speech and Debate Education Day
Why National Employee Appreciation Day?
The importance of gratitude and appreciation does not depreciate in the corporate world; therefore, employers around the world take out one day from the calendar to show how much they value and appreciate their employees and the extremely hard work that they put in every single day just for the sake of the company. It shows the employees that they are seen and heard and valued, that they are not just another nameless somebody toiling inside a cubicle. It also helps the employer not be seen as aloof from and oblivious to their employees’ successes and achievements. It humanizes the employers and helps the employees to bond with them on a less superficial level.
Employee Appreciation Day helps the employers boost morale amongst their team members and increases the level of job satisfaction among employees. It is not unknown that a happy employee is a productive employee. Most employees, despite their different personalities, are goal-driven and have high needs for achievement motivation. Therefore, they need rewards and appreciation for them to be their most productive selves in the workforce. It lays the foundation for a strong and healthy workplace relationship. Thus, the Employee Appreciation Day is also a very important tool to increase productivity among employees, which helps in increasing the overall productivity of the company and take it to greater heights of success. Come to think of it, it is like a business investment that promises great returns of profit.
How can we observe National Employee Appreciation Day?
There are various ways by which employers can show their appreciation for their employees. Some of them are listed below:
- Thank You Notes/Gratitude Wall – Employers can write up hand-written notes expressing their gratitude to their employees to serve the company or congratulate them on their successes and achievements. They can then arrange a gratitude wall, decorating all these notes on a display board to see first thing as they are about to start their workday. It is bound to put a smile on each one of their faces.
- Team Lunch/Dinner – A team lunch or dinner can be organized, where employees get a chance to bond with their bosses. Since food is known to make us happy, it will help the employees put their guards down and forget all inhibitions in front of their employers and talk freely. It serves as a bonding time that will help them understand each other better and know more about their likes and dislikes, and get an idea of the kind of person they are outside of work. This humanizes the employer and makes working with them easier.
- Bestowing Awards – The employers can organize a formal awards ceremony where all employees are given awards with formal speeches about their successes and glory, in front of everybody. This will not only help appreciate their hard work but also inspire others to do the same. The company can also arrange for an informal ceremony where employees are given goofy tags and titles. Everyone can have a merry time and laugh and enjoy with each other.
- Social media shout-outs – Social media is a very important part of our lives. It is a source of finding approval and acceptance; therefore, a social media shout-out from their bosses would mean the world to them. It will help them show the world their actual potential. Bosses can use hashtags like #EmployeeAppreciationDay, #EmployeeOftheMonth, #bestIntern, etc.
- Being Flexible – Or they can be flexible on that day, maybe let the employees go home early that day or allow them to wear casuals, it can be as simple as that, no need for grand gestures, just let them do what they want to, just for that one day, for indeed it is their day.
- Organizing Team Sports – A sports meet-up may be organized where employees and employers can come together and play a game of their choice. It can be anything, like, soccer, cricket, golf, volleyball, etc. Playing sports increases team unity and help them to perform better in teams during work. So it’s a win-win.
Interesting Facts on National Employee Appreciation Day:
Some interesting facts about this day are as follows:
- Employee appreciation leads to job satisfaction, which increases productivity levels among employees. Job satisfaction is a key factor in maintaining healthy and productive employees.
- Employee appreciation is an important element in maintaining a positive work environment, which motivates employees to be their best selves.
- Employee appreciation helps in portraying a positive image of the company and helps build its brand image, which in turn helps secure a stable place in the market.
History of National Employee Appreciation Day:
The employee appreciation day was first celebrated in 1995 by Bob Nelson, one of the founding board members of Recognition Professional International and his publishing company Workman Publishing. This day came into existence because Bob Nelson realized that it is very important for the employees to be happy to lead a productive workforce, for it is they who are the brick and mortar of the companies.