Employee Appreciation Day

Employee Appreciation Day History

Employee Appreciation Day serves as an opportunity to recognize the efforts and contributions of employees towards the success of an organization. This observance emphasizes the importance of showing appreciation towards employees, fostering a positive work environment. It underlines the need to appreciate the unique skills, dedication and contributions which individuals bring to their workplaces, thereby playing a significant role in the firm's development and success.

Originating in the United States, Employee Appreciation Day has been globally embraced, including by organisations in the United Kingdom. In UK workplaces, the day holds significance as an occasion to promote positivity, boost morale, and increase productivity through the validation of employees' efforts. It fits well within UK workplace culture, a culture that values employee satisfaction and engagement as key components of organisational effectiveness.

In the United Kingdom, Employee Appreciation Day is usually observed through various activities designed to show gratitude towards employees. These gestures can range from simple thank you notes to team-building events, staff parties, gift vouchers, or even extra paid holidays. Acknowledging employees verbally and in team meetings is another way to show gratitude and often goes a long way in enhancing motivation and satisfaction. While there is not a fixed date or month for Employee Appreciation Day in the UK, many companies align with the globally observed date, the first Friday in 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.
• Many UK companies demonstrate their appreciation for employees through Employee Ownership Plans (EOPs) in which employees own shares of the company. This enables employees to have a direct stake in the company's success and can boost employee morale and motivation.
• Trade unions in the UK have a long history of defending workers' rights and promoting fair treatment in the workplace. They have affected change in terms of employee protection, work hours, and health and safety standards.

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

Top things to do in the UK 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.
• Read a book to learn more about Employee Appreciation Day:
  Joy at Work: Delivering Happiness - Based on the book 'Delivering Happiness' by Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com, this documentary explores the emphasis Hsieh places on corporate culture and happy employees.
• Participate In Wellness Activities: Many UK companies are prioritizing employee wellbeing. On Employee Appreciation Day, they might organize wellness activities such as yoga classes, mindfulness, massage sessions, or group runs.