We all know how this works: it’s the holiday season, your employees have worked their tails off all year to make the numbers, and there’s a lot of stress. Then there comes the office holiday party which usually involves ‘open bar’ which leads to ‘employees letting loose’ and then human resources ‘fielding issues’ for the next 3 weeks. What if I were to tell you that, perhaps, the office holiday party might not be the answer at all. What if what your employees are looking for, is a little more personal…perhaps, an employee rewards program.
According to a Harris poll, of 2,574 US workers surveyed, only 25% responded they really wanted the office party. That means that 75%, yes 75% of respondents indicated they would like to see their employers use the money for something other than a crazy (in some cases career limiting) office party - rather on employee rewards.
Rusty Rueff, author of the book “Talent Force” commented, “Until we see the impacts of the Great Recession further recede, when it comes to what employees want it starts with cash and other financial perks to make sure that ends can be met over the holidays.”
That statement cannot be any closer to the truth. Employees don’t want to see their employer spending tons of cash of lavish parties with seemingly endless amounts of adult beverages. Listen to your employees closely to find out what they truly want. Changes are that 3 out of every 4 employees will say they want to be recognized and rewarded instead.
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The Holidays on a personal level can be stressful enough when it comes to getting all the shopping done, the house prepared, etc. So too, the pressure adds up on the job with many companies driving towards year end goals, revenue numbers, the bottom line, and submitting next year’s budgets. With all the noise brought about during this last month of the year, the importance of having a solid employee recognition program in place is never greater.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) published several factoids on how several companies are doing to reduce the stresses of the season. Of the over 360 human resource professionals who responded to an email survey, the following were discovered:
- 39% remind employees of EAP (employee assistance program)
- 33% recognize employees working during the holidays
- 32% encourage casual attire for holiday gatherings
- 23% give bonuses (if given) early in an effort for their employees to use for their holiday shopping
But perhaps, the most effective way to keep your employees feeling relaxed during the holiday mess, is to reward them…with a gift. Many human resource professionals are turning to companies who provide incentive programs to help spread the holiday cheer and boost end-of-the-year morale. Since many rewards programs are now available online, employers are finding out that it does not take much to get the right kind of employee recognition going for their workforce. Whatever the type of program may be, it’s important to make your employees feel appreciated, comfortable, accommodated, and most of all rewarded.
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