This Thanksgiving, Give Your Employees Thanks for a Job Well Done

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 7, 2015) - Thanksgiving Day is a great reminder to say thank you to your employees, said the job experts at Express Employment Professionals. Appreciation and gratitude can go a long way toward your employee retention efforts.

"Recognizing your employees and saying thank you doesn't have to be expensive and is appreciated by employees in almost any form," said Bob Funk, CEO of Express. "The boss is the single most powerful factor in how an employee views their workplace."

If employees don't feel encouraged and appreciated at work, they may have a more negative view of their workplace, which can result in persistent employee complaints and turnover. Showing appreciation improves job satisfaction, builds work confidence, raises production and lowers absenteeism. Regular, sincere gestures of thanks can improve relations between workers and managers too.

So, what are some of the best ways to say thank you to your employees?

Spoken Words

Just say "thank you"-anytime and anyplace. But it's best to try to be specific by using phrases like "I really appreciate your help with ..." and "I'm so grateful for...". We all want to know that our work matters, and that we are making a contribution. It's refreshing to know when we hit the mark.

Gifts

Employees always appreciate rewards and gifts, no matter how small. When it's warranted, think about presenting special cash bonuses, gift cards and cash awards. Remember to share your branded, corporate merchandise like T-shirts and coffee mugs. But gifts don't always need to be monetary. Busy employees always appreciate the gift of extra days off or flexible scheduling for the holidays, if feasible.

Written Words

Consider a handwritten thank you note or a letter of appreciation. In today's digital age, taking the time to write down your words of thanks is a unique gesture that will be treasured. You can also share a thank you in a more public way such as through an employee bulletin board or company newsletter.

Positive Attention

At staff meetings, give each employee a thank you, a round of applause and word of personal appreciation. Don't forget to provide frequent positive performance feedback face to face.

Employee Development

Professional development opportunities are a great way to say thank you. Find relevant courses-online or classroom-so your employees can develop their skills. You can also send people to conferences and seminars, and ask them to present and share what they've learned.

Treats

Everybody loves a treat, so from time to time, say thanks by providing lunch or bringing in cookies, a deli tray, or fruit basket to share with the staff. You can get creative by renting a popcorn machine or bring in an ice cream bar with toppings. If it's possible, take staff to lunch for their birthday, a special occasion or for no reason at all.

The Work Itself

Saying thank you doesn't have to cost money. If you provide opportunities for empowerment and self-management, it goes a long way in expressing how valued the employee is to the company and to the boss. Ask an employee to represent the company at an important external meeting, on a committee, to participate in new idea generation or to weigh in on decision making.

By following these tips, you can make saying thank you a common practice, not a scarce resource, in your organization. Motivated employees do a better job of serving customers, which in the long run increases your company's profitability and success.

If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bob Funk to discuss this topic, please contact Kellie Major at (613) 222-7488.

About Robert A. Funk

Robert A. "Bob" Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than five million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve.

About Express Employment Professionals and Express in Canada

Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $2.85 billion in sales and employed more than 456,000 people in 2014. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. Express launched in Canada in July 1996, with a franchise in London, Ontario, and since then, has expanded and grown across Canada significantly. There are currently 36 Express franchises in Canada - five in British Columbia, five in Alberta, two in Saskatchewan, 23 in Ontario and one in Nova Scotia.