Your employees should feel valued all year round. However, Christmas can be an especially difficult time for some people. It’s important to show your appreciation for your employees during the festive period. If your team is working over the holidays, you should consider a bonus or benefits package.
Here are a few ways you can make your employees feel valued at Christmas.
Fair pay
Take a close look at your employees’ salaries and assess whether you can boost their pay during the holidays. You need to pay them for overtime and consider an end of year bonus. Some companies allocate a set amount for the employee Christmas bonus. Even the smallest amount could make a world of difference to your employees in the festive season.
Enough holidays
As the new year approaches, you should consider improving your annual leave package. Instead of offering the minimum amount of annual leave, throw in a few bonus days. You could offer annual leave for special life events, like birthdays, weddings and moving house.
Perks at work
It’s time to get into the festive spirit and improve your perks scheme. You could offer your employees free breakfast once a week in December or an improved snack drawer in the office kitchen. Make the office more festive by decorating a Christmas tree with perfect and versatile ribbons, while also allowing your employees to work flexibly where possible.
Progression pathways
You need to set some goals for the new year. Goals help to keep your team motivated and on track. Before Christmas, hold a meeting with each employee to run over their progression this year. Identify their successes and areas of improvement so they can make some SMART goals in the new year. Progression sessions make your employees feel valued and help them to move forward with their careers.
Early finish days
You could let the office finish early on Fridays for the festive period. With more Christmas parties and celebrations, your team would undoubtedly benefit from the early finish. The dark nights can make the office feel gloomy. An early finish will be welcomed by all.
A small gift
You should thank your team for their hard work this year with a small gift. You could deliver some chocolate gifts to each employee as a surprise chocolate present. Write a card to go alongside the present and recognise all of their successes this year. Personalised cards can make each employee feel recognised and appreciated at work.
Celebrate Christmas with your team this year and throw a Christmas party in December. You can celebrate your big wins this year and look forward to what 2022 has to offer.
Ingrid Maldine is a business writer, editor and management consultant with extensive experience writing and consulting for both start-ups and long established companies. She has ten years management and leadership experience gained at BSkyB in London and Viva Travel Guides in Quito, Ecuador, giving her a depth of insight into innovation in international business. With an MBA from the University of Hull and many years of experience running her own business consultancy, Ingrid’s background allows her to connect with a diverse range of clients, including cutting edge technology and web-based start-ups but also multinationals in need of assistance. Ingrid has played a defining role in shaping organizational strategy for a wide range of different organizations, including for-profit, NGOs and charities. Ingrid has also served on the Board of Directors for the South American Explorers Club in Quito, Ecuador.
