Happy employees are the backbone of a company because they work harder, better, and more productively than one that isn’t. As an employer or manager, you might be thinking that the best way to make your company’s workers feel good about their jobs is by making sure they get great pay and benefits. While this isn’t wrong, it’s only part of the picture; if you want your employees to stick around, you have to show that you appreciate them.

Here are seven simple yet meaningful ways to show your employees how much you appreciate them:

1. Celebrate Their Accomplishments And Milestones

Let’s face it—nowadays, great customer service has become pretty rare. That’s why when you receive excellent service from your employees, be sure to let them know how satisfied you are with their work. You can get to this in many different forms such as:

• Tell them in person: You can go to their place of work, sit down with them, and talk about how satisfied you are with them.

• Shoot them an email: If you can’t find the employee in person or if you want to give them a more formal gratitude, an email is always a great way to go.

• Handwrite them notes of thanks: In this day and age where everything is digital, it can be a remarkable thing to receive a handwritten note.

• Give them small gifts: It can be something as simple as a Starbucks coupon or a gift card to a nearby shop or restaurant.

People love recognition for their achievements and milestones, so make sure that you do just that. When an employee does something extraordinary, tell them. This way, your employees will know that you’re thinking about their career growth and that they have your support. It’ll also make them feel appreciated and know that they’re valued members of the team.

2. Give Them Praise In Public

When an employee does something praiseworthy, don’t keep it to yourself; praise them in public. Some ways to do it may be:

• Announcing it at a team meeting: This is great if the accomplishment is team-related.

• Mentioning it in a company email: If the accomplishment is more individualistic, this would be a great way to spread the word.

• Posting it on social media: You may post about your employee’s accomplishment there if you have a company social media account.

It means a lot to an employee when their boss or manager acknowledges their excellent work in front of the office staff. Praise them for going above and beyond what’s required by their job description, which will motivate them to continue doing so. This simple act will show everyone that you appreciate good work and that hard work is being noticed and rewarded.

3. Send Them Corporate Christmas Cards

Christmas is a time when everyone feels extra grateful for the people in their lives who make it worthwhile. Why not show your employees some of that gratitude by sending them Corporate Christmas cards? These are a special way to wish all your employees the very best of the yuletide season and let them know that you appreciate all their hard work throughout the year.

This small gesture reminds them that you’re thinking of them during the holiday season and that you value their contributions to your company.

4. Celebrate Their Birthdays

Birthdays are a special time for celebration, and it’s always nice to know that somebody’s thinking of you on this special day. An employee often expects their boss to remember their birthday and wish them well.

It’ll be a remarkable gesture to show your employees that you care about their personal lives, as well as their professional ones. You may do this is by sending them a birthday card or, even better, taking them out for lunch or dinner on their special day. It’ll show them that you care about them as a person and not just as an employee.

5. Let Them Be Creative

Allowing creativity among your team members will make them happier and lead to better results. Encourage them to come up with new and innovative ideas and see how they can be applied to the company’s goals. For example, if you work in a marketing firm, ask them for some creative suggestions to improve your social media presence.

If you make it a habit, they’ll know that you trust and value their opinions. This way, they may become more engaged with their work. They’ll also feel appreciated for their creativity and intelligence, and they’ll know that you value their input.

6. Ensure Work/Life Balance

Nobody likes a micromanager, so make sure that you give your employees some breathing room by letting them manage their own time. For instance, if they need to leave work a little early to take their kid to a dentist appointment, don’t freak out; you may just adjust their workload for the day.

This way, your team members will know that you trust them and that you’re not constantly watching over their shoulders.

7. Let Them Take Time Off

If an employee is burned out, the best thing you can do is give them some time off. It’ll help them recharge and come back to work feeling refreshed and motivated. It’s a known fact that people are more productive when they’re taking regular breaks, so give your employees the time they need to pamper themselves.

Final Thoughts

In the cutthroat world of business, it’s often the smallest gestures that speak the loudest. Those who truly understand how valuable their employees are will appreciate them and take steps to show them that they’re valued members of the team. Ensuring that your employees don’t feel underappreciated will create a happier and more productive work environment.