How do you appreciate your employees?

We have heard it so many times – that people are the core of the business, and human capital is important but how often do the middle management and top management really show their appreciation to employees?

If you are reading this, and you are one of the management or in the Human Resource team, then maybe it is time for you to initiate! Employee Appreciation Day falls on the 3rd March annually but it is still not too late!

Here are some ways you can show your extra appreciation to your employees!

Provide Welfare

You can do this by providing massage services to employees who badly need to relax – whether is it for your blue collars who are doing your manual work or your white collars who are constantly hunched trying to coordinate your work for you.

Provide Food

You can’t really go wrong with food, as food commonly bonds colleagues and friends! Good food is awesome, but it will be even better when it is fully sponsored by the Company!

During this period, there should also not be any restrictions on lunch break! Lunch break should be if your employees wishes. It is ultimately a form of reward for all the hard work done.

You can also provide new coffee machines in the pantry, as an extra surprise to your employees! This give them the extra perk to perform better in their work anyway!

Hand written notes

This do not have to be presentable, and expensive cards to show your appreciation. Simple one or two sentences to show your appreciation will do. You can be surprised of what a few words can do!

Reorganize your office

If you have the luxury of time, you can request for your employees to give the walls a different shade of colour, and understand the request of a reorganization of office furniture.

You can even provide them a small budget to redecorate their office spaces, to feel energized!

Purchase a new computer!

This applies if you have huge budget or when your computer is old. Imagine your employee’s delight if you’re able to give them something new to allow them to be more productive at work!

You can also introduce systems to help encourage productivity and efficiency as well – to make work more meaningful and less administrative.

Be Interested

Employees would really feel appreciated if you are interested in their personal lives, apart from how they are like in the company. If bosses show interest in their families, instead of how much work have they performed – this would also reflect as an appreciation of employees.

This would be even better if you allow your employees a more flexible schedule if they are able to perform in their work. It would be one thing to share that you want them to have a work-life balance, and another if you really make it one of the priorities that has been stressed by the management.

How to deal with negative colleagues?

Experiencing negativity in the workplace can be challenging. It can become distracting and pull focus away from goals and responsibilities, or create so much drama in its wake that the whole working environment becomes toxic. Other than avoiding these toxic colleagues completely, is there anything else that can be done? There are situations when different people have to work together and it can be mutually harmful if such negativity isn’t handled appropriately and professionally.

EMBRACE POSITIVITY AND ENCOURAGE IT IN OTHERS

We all know the mean-spirited and highly-competitive colleagues can be the trickiest to work with, especially when they are constantly putting people down in order to feel better about the job at hand. The way to counter this is not to have a difficult and awkward confrontation, but instead channel good thoughts and embrace positivity in the self. Remember that not everyone has the same perspectives or opinions, so there is never any singular right answer to a problem. The workplace is for people to learn and grow together, so just be positive.

BE FIRM IN DRAWING PERSONAL BOUNDARIES

Put a feet down if things get too hard between conversations with these people. If their negativity is affecting the job, then one has to be firm and draw boundaries as to how much of this negativity can be allowed in the workplace. Do not allow it to become personal as it will further complicate things and let the matter live on for longer than appropriate. If one can keep cool, calm and sitting down, then the problem will only limit itself to the professional space and be dealt with properly.

POWER CHECK YOURSELF TO KEEP EVERYTHING IN ORDER

One of the most common traits of negative people is their constant habit of doubting everyone’s abilities. This will cause people to overthink their work choices and delay decisions, resulting in tardiness or excuses about work that cannot be completed with confidence. The fact is that everyone has complete power over themselves and how they react to negativity, so as long as the individual is collected and believes in himself or herself, all decisions ultimately weigh and matter only to the self.

Why a mentorship program is necessary?

It has been a long time established program, but not many companies have executed the mentorship program. Businesses are always keen on capturing more market share, and to find the cutting-edge factors to enhance revenue. If you believe your people are your greatest asset to your company, then you should consider the mentorship program

These are the following benefits:

Foster a stronger team work

There is a common misunderstanding that only managers or high performing individuals can become mentors. This is not the case. Giving a colleague who have more experience, the opportunity to mentor will allow them to establish, connect and deepen their relationship with their peers.

This further enhance the teamwork between the existing teams, where collaboration can be found readily available.

Helps in recruitment & retention

With a strong mentorship program, incumbents into companies can easily have access to advice from the high performing individuals, whom they may identify as role models. This allows the opportunity for new entrants into the company toquickly understand the company’s culture – which are crucial in retaining the right employees.

Through a strong mentorship program, you are attracting the growing population – which is the millennials. This group of people often require themselves to feel empowered, and are looking for people who can guide them in their career paths. If your employees are performing, your organization is performing as well.

If you can provide the constant need for career development and empowerment for this group, you will also lead to the increased retention of this group of employees as well.

Increased morals

Empowered employees who become mentors would feel that they can contribute back to the organization, which increases their self-worth and job satisfaction.

Mentees would feel that knowledge and advice is readily available, which allows  them to execute their duties more confidently, while allowing them the opportunity to develop their interpersonal skills.