Your employees spend a lot of time at work, so you need to ensure they feel valued and appreciated for their efforts. Paid time off, health insurance, and a retirement plan are incredibly important, but there are several other methods through which you can express your gratitude. Continue reading to learn some ways to help employees feel valued at work.
Provide Outdoor Space
If your office has an outdoor area, you should add some comfortable seating options for your employees to enjoy throughout the day. Creating a healthy mid-door environment or full-on outdoor space allows everyone to take advantage of fresh air and sunshine in a calming setting.
Whether employees use the space to eat their lunch or simply spend some time away from their desk, a dedicated outdoor area is beneficial. In addition to seating options for both lounging and eating, be sure to create shaded areas with an umbrella or overhang.
Offer Wellness Days
To promote a healthy work-life balance, you should let every employee take time off. However, many people like to save their paid time off for a vacation or a special occasion. By providing paid wellness days, you can encourage your team to take a day off to focus on their mental health.
Employees can use their wellness day to get a massage, go for a hike, curl up with a good book, or do any other activity that sparks joy. A wellness day is for self-care, so every person can decide how to spend their time. By offering this type of perk, you’re showing your team you value their well-being, both in and out of the office.
Celebrate Birthdays
Another way to help employees feel valued at work is celebrating their birthdays. Since everyone has a birthday, it’s a great way to ensure every team member receives recognition once a year. If you work in person, bring a cake for colleagues to enjoy in the break room. You can also decorate the person’s desk with streamers and confetti.
For remote employees, it’s a nice gesture to mail a birthday card or send them a digital gift card for lunch. Simple gestures show your team members you care about them as individuals. Plus, when you acknowledge someone’s special day, they feel valued and supported.
Establish Flexible Work Hours
Like wellness days, flexible work hours promote a healthy work-life balance for all employees. Allowing your workers to start anytime within a certain timeframe means they can tend to other tasks in the morning. Working parents certainly appreciate the ability to drop their kids off at school without feeling rushed.
Flexible work hours also make it easier to schedule important appointments. If an employee starts early, they can leave early and head to an appointment in the afternoon. When people work full time, it can be difficult to schedule these events without taking time off. Thus, flexible work hours are a perk that employees greatly appreciate.
Employees who feel valued at work are often happier and more productive. To show your team members how much you care, consider implementing one or more of these important benefits.
