How to Make Your Employees Feel Valued at Work: Our Top 13 Tips
If you think the occasional “well done” is enough on its own to show your employees appreciation, then you’re sadly mistaken. You need to build a culture of appreciation that’s genuine and thoughtful. It’s the key ingredient for creating a team that’s strong and united.
Join us at Thankbox as we share our ideas on how best to show your employees that you are truly happy for all the work that they do.
Why is it important to make sure your employees feel valued?
So why should you care about whether your employees feel valued or not? Here are the major reasons:
Creates a positive company culture: Showing gratitude and appreciation for your employees helps build a healthy environment of belonging. This goes a long way in establishing a positive and inclusive company culture, which can lead to a successful company.
Make Your Employees Feel Special With Thankbox!
Outward recognition goes a long way in making your employees feel valued. Create a personalised Thankbox today and watch your workplace light up!
Builds trust and loyalty: When employees feel as though the company they work for is genuinely interested in them as people, instead of a metric, it builds loyalty. Don’t underestimate the importance of this because your loyal employees will be your greatest asset.
Increases productivity: Employees who feel valued are more motivated to keep adding their value to your company. Without adequate acknowledgement and appreciation, staff morale is likely to go down along with productivity.
Boosts mental health and well-being: The workplace is often a stressful place, and it’s where a lot of your employees spend their time. By showing them they’re appreciated, this alleviates most of the stress and reduces burnout. When your employees have stable mental health, they’re able to perform at their best.
Reduces turnover: When you show how much you genuinely value your employees, they can experience higher job satisfaction and pursue continued employment at your company.
13 ways to make your employees feel valued
Now, let’s get into how you can show your employees that they matter.
1. Send a personalised thank you
Don’t shy away from explicitly saying ‘thank you’ when your employees do a great job. Genuine recognition is the first major step to showing your employees that their efforts are appreciated.
Fortunately, you can take advantage of Thankbox to express your gratitude in the most personalised and sustainable way. You can create the perfect e-card filled with encouraging messages, entertaining GIFs, photos, and videos that everyone can contribute.
2. Celebrate milestones together
Taking note of and celebrating your employees’ personal achievements or birthdays shows them that you truly care that they’re a part of your team.
Amazingly, you can also use Thankbox to make these celebrations memorable. Easily collect money from your teammates to offer a bouquet of flowers or a thoughtful gift card to a deserving team member who may be celebrating an anniversary, engagement or new home. The best part is our gift cards have direct connections to 700+ retailers (as well as the option to redeem the cash as a Prepaid Visa), so the recipient will truly feel special.
3. Foster daily connections
Do you greet your team members often? This doesn’t mean that you have to interact with every employee at your company every day, but the simple act of sharing a kind greeting (and smile) with your direct team members can go a long way. Your employees do need attention, and if they see that their manager knows them, they’ll definitely feel valued.
4. Offer flexibility (when it’s possible)
We’re not going to get tired of telling you this–hybrid work is the future. Consider giving your employees the option of working remotely when it’s possible. By giving them flexibility in their work schedules, they’ll see it as a sign of trust and consideration for a healthy work-life balance.
5. Give genuine and honest feedback
Don’t underestimate the beauty of individual and personalised feedback. It’s a solid way to make sure your employees feel valued because you’re showing them that you want them to improve. Forget about generic feedback that doesn’t give any direction. Take the time to focus on each individual to maintain genuineness.
6. Ask for employees’ advice
Despite what you may think, many employees love it when you ask about what they think. It’s a simple way to show them that their opinions hold weight. So, when the opportunity arises, make sure to ask employees for their individual opinions on different tasks and projects.
7. Follow through on promises
Leadership that consistently follows through on their promises is more likely to have dedicated and motivated employees, compared to leadership that does not.
For example, if you’re going to commit to monthly social events, follow through. Even if plans change or obstacles arise, make sure to stay transparent about it and invite your employees to suggest alternative ideas.
8. Create opportunities for new experiences
Employees who see that their company cares about their personal development and growth, will be assured that they’re considered as more than cogs in your machine. Invest in career advancement workshops, suggest seminars, and (most importantly) offer promotion opportunities for them within your company.
9. Elevate onboarding
A great way to show your employees that they're welcome and valued, from the outset, is by making your onboarding experience extra special. Start a newbie's journey by taking them to lunch or sending them a sweet package on their first day.
After all, the entire journey of an employee, from interview to when they eventually leave the business, all form part of their employee experience. Your aim should always be for your overall employee experience to be top tier, as this permeates into other areas of your business, including company culture.
10. Bring in treats
Who doesn’t love a tasty treat? Show your appreciation by bringing in yummy goods that everyone can eat. It’s best to do this on a random day so that your employees don’t feel like you’re just doing it out of obligation for a specific event.
Making sure to know what everyone’s dietary needs are is an extra step that you can take to ensure that all your team members feel included.
11. Prioritise well-being
Employees are more aware of how the workplace can affect their mental and physical health. And, they're likely to leave a company that doesn’t acknowledge this. Make sure to provide the support they need by incorporating wellness activities and resources into your work life.
You can even start small by giving extra 10- to 30-minute breaks to employees that you notice may be struggling mentally.
Make Your Employees Feel Special With Thankbox!
Outward recognition goes a long way in making your employees feel valued. Create a personalised Thankbox today and watch your workplace light up!
12. Respect working hours
Sending work emails or phone calls after-hours is a huge red flag of a toxic workplace. Respect your employees’ time by refraining from reaching out when they’ve clocked off.
If you desperately need to contact them, preface your message by saying that you don’t expect a response until their next working day–but avoid calls at all costs!
13. Stay available to help
A great way to value and support your team is to be available when they need help. Leadership that offers help when their employees are struggling has a significant positive impact on staff morale. This doesn’t mean that you have to micromanage–just make sure to come through when they call.
Wrapping up
While our ideas are amazing to get you on your way to a happier workplace, remember that each employee is unique, and you are free to ask them for suggestions on how they would love to feel valued. Even by asking, you’re showing them that you’re taking these steps with them in mind.
Ready to start appreciating your employees? Dive right in by creating a Thankbox—a fun, genuine way to show gratitude and bring the whole team together!
Images: Cover | Men doing high five at the office | Exchanging gifts | Men having a conversation | Two women eating together in a cafe | Lighted letterboard beside a laptop
