“People don’t quit jobs, they quit bosses.”

When it comes to the world of business, there’s no more accurate phrase. While factors like salary, location, hours and colleagues can obviously contribute to someone leaving a workplace, one of the primary reasons employees jump ship is because they feel unappreciated or even disrespected by their boss. Many employees will be able to take the less desirable elements of a role in their stride as long as they’re working for someone who makes them feel valued and supported; when that’s not the case, good workers won’t stick around.

To ensure your staff feel appreciated, it’s essential to recognize the work they’re putting in and reward them for a job well done. The next time one of your employees completes an extraordinary project or demonstrates initiative in the office, show them that you value their efforts by trying out one (or more!) of these suggestions:

Give a Gift

Fact: everyone loves receiving gifts and thanks to the internet, it’s easier than ever to jump online and purchase high-quality corporate gifts for your staff. Whether you’re congratulating your employee on closing a big deal or wishing them a happy birthday, giving a gift is the ultimate token of appreciation as it shows you’ve taken the time out of your busy day to do something thoughtful for them.

Compliments and Praise

One of the best ways to strengthen rapport with your staff is by keeping an open and honest line of communication with them. If you’re impressed by your employee’s presentation in a meeting with clients, make sure to tell them! Even if you’re not around the office much, give your employee a quick call to let them know you appreciate their hard work or schedule in a coffee to personally thank them. This will help to keep your staff engaged and motivate them to continue producing their best work.

Increase Responsibility

If you have an employee who’s constantly going above and beyond, reward them by increasing their responsibility in your business. Giving an outstanding staff member the opportunity to rise through the ranks of your company is the best way to demonstrate that you take their career goals seriously. Workers thrive when they feel that you trust them to make important judgment calls independently.

Offer Flexibility

If one of your staff members has completely exceeded your expectations and done a fantastic job of something, why not send them home early for the day? Likewise, if a staff member has stayed behind late to meet a deadline, let them know that they can come in a couple of hours later the next morning so that they get enough rest. When you show your staff that you understand they have a life outside of work, they’ll be extremely appreciative and more likely to keep performing at their best.

Staff Outings

If you find the energy in the office a little flat, organizing some extracurricular activities for your employees will help to lift their spirits. As well as giving your staff a break from the daily grind, going on an outing is a fantastic opportunity for you and your team to get to know each other better and improve your relationships at work. Opt for an activity like mini golf, an escape room or laser tag and enjoy the laughs it’ll bring.

When you demonstrate to your staff that you recognize their hard work and value their input, you’re setting your business up for success. Maintaining a healthy, positive work culture will boost productivity, increase morale and improve staff retention, making it a win-win situation for everyone.