FEATURE-Employee Appreciation

By Timothy A. Edward

The success of any organisation is dependent on its employees. In our organisations too, we need to view our employees as valued stakeholders in our mission, not simply assets. It is crucial to recognise and appreciate our employees not just through occasional one-off thank you emails or celebration days, but by fostering an environment where individuals can make meaningful contributions and their hard work and voices acknowledged. This creates a culture of continuous appreciation, ultimately leading to overall success.

HR Business Partner Model

As we know, the traditional Personnel function has evolved into the widely recogniaed HR Business Partner (HRBP) Model, which is gaining worldwide popularity, because it focuses on empowering employees.

During these difficult times, it is incumbent upon HR to collaborate closely with teams throughout the entire organisation, prioritising the effort to familiarise themselves with each individual. HR needs to know what is happening within an organisation and provide personalised HR assistance, ensuring that everyone’s opinions are taken into account and treated with the utmost appreciation and respect. 

Regular monthly check-ins, staff gatherings moderated by HR, surveys that foster a culture of transparency and accessibility, all contribute toward an 'open-door' approach, guaranteeing that HR Business Partners are readily approachable to obtain guidance and are seamlessly integrated with teams.

Empowering and Appreciating Women

In addition to the many good things happening this month, it is also dedicated to accelerating gender equality by empowering women economically. As such, we can consciously set aside some time this month to appreciate the extraordinary women in our lives and in our workplaces who are making significant contributions to the betterment of societies and communities worldwide.  This will be a great month to prioritise hearing women employees’ voices. 

We can see, even in war-torn Gaza, how mothers and women of incredible resilience and commitment are working tirelessly to achieve peace in spite of their safety and security. As we observe some traditional calendar events this month, let us also sincerely hope and pray that there will be periodically much needed ceasefires in Gaze, to get in essential life supplies and to save lives and move peace negotiations towards a lasting solution in this region. 

Psychologically Safe Environment

In this light, we all agree that our people are the most valuable resource. However, the question remains how committed organisations are in creating a psychologically safe environment where our employees feel confident and motivated to share their ideas and make a positive impact. Below are some strategies that could be used to create a psychologically safe work environment.

Some Strategies 

Surprise Celebrations: Plan surprise celebrations for milestones or achievements, such as a simple team lunch or happy hour, to show your employees that their hard work is noticed and valued.

Employee Appreciation Day: Designate a day specifically for appreciating employees, with activities like team building exercises, giveaways special awards, or treating them to a luncheon meeting. Such company outings can boost morale and foster a sense of comradeship among employees.

Flexible Work Options: Many ICT companies offer flexible work options such as remote work, compressed workweeks, or flexible schedules, as a way to show trust and appreciation for their employees' work-life balance. 

Employee Recognition Programmes: These programmes acknowledge and reward employees for their long committed service, hard work and special achievements. They can include bonuses, awards, public recognition, or even opportunities for career growth.

Professional Development Opportunities: Provide opportunities for employees to attend workshops, conferences, or training events to further their professional development. This shows the organisation’s commitment to its employees’ growth and career advancement.

By implementing some of the above-mentioned strategies and taking time to mark events such as International Women’s Day, companies can demonstrate their appreciation and gratitude to foster a favourable work environment for their staff throughout the entire year, rather than just during this particular month.