Employee Appreciation Day

Employee Appreciation Day History

Employee Appreciation Day is dedicated to acknowledging the efforts, dedication, and contributions of employees to their respective organizations. It serves as an occasion where employers take the opportunity to express gratitude and show appreciation to their workforce. It contributes to positive working relationships, staff morale, employee retention and overall business productivity.

The origin of Employee Appreciation Day is not definitively recorded, however, it is known to have gained significant traction in the United States since the early 1990s. Employee Appreciation Day can be particularly impactful in the American culture where high value is placed on work ethic, career dedication, and corporate accomplishments. It’s an opportunity for employees across a range of industries in the country to be recognized for their valuable input. American organizations often utilize this observance to encourage a motivating, inclusive and rewarding environment which can greatly enhance the dynamics and performance of the workforce.

American organizations employ various methods to acknowledge their staff. Activities can range from corporate-wide recognition events and team building activities, to personal acknowledgements and tokens of appreciation such as gift cards or time-off privileges. Workplaces may also provide special meals, throw parties, or offer exclusive discounts as part of their gratitude expression. In the United States, Employee Appreciation Day is customarily celebrated on the first Friday of March.

Facts about Employee Appreciation Day

• Employee satisfaction is the level of happiness or content an employee feels at their job. It is essential in keeping employees motivated and performing at an optimal level. Some ways to increase employee satisfaction include maintaining a positive work environment, offering feedback, bringing balance to work life, and recognizing and rewarding them.
• The day was established in 1995 by Workman Publishing and Dr. Bob Nelson, a leading advocate for employee recognition, initially to celbrate his book 1, 001 Ways to Reward Employees.
• According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are about 832 occupations in the United States.
• According to the U.S. Department of Labor, In November of 2022, employers added 263,000 jobs to the U.S. economy.
• According to Fortune 500, the top 5 best companies to work for in 2023 were:
  1) Cisco
  2 ) Hilton Worldwide Holdings
  3) American Express
  4) Alphabet
  5) Apple

In the News and Trending in the US for Employee Appreciation Day

Top things to do in the US for Employee Appreciation Day

• Appreciate your employees by offering them rewards or incentives for good work. A healthy and positive work environment helps both employers and employees.
• Purchase a company toy or item that employees would enjoy. It could be a new coffee machine, a foosball table, exercise equipment, something that lets employees know they're appreciated.
• Hold team member activities to foster connectedness between employees. Happy workplaces lead to an increase in employee satisfaction.
• Watch a movie that highlights the length employees go for their employers. Some are appreciated and others, not so much. Here are our suggestions:
  Secretary (2002)
  Men at Work (1990)
  The Secret of My Success (1987)