Be sure to recognize and thank your employees during April 20-26, 2014, Administrative Professionals Week. It’s always the last full week of April. Here are 3 ways to show your appreciation without spending any money…
This is a perfect week to show your appreciation to administrative employees who work hard for you all year. Administrative professionals are the unsung heroes of the workplace. They do the administrative tasks that keep the engine of your company, hospital, school or organization running efficiently.
Administrative workers don’t get the big commissions and recognition that is often reserved for the sales department. They may get very little employee recognition, yet, their value is enormous. Don’t pass up the opportunity of Administrative Professionals Week to reward and recognize them.
What if your budget is tight?
Don’t worry, there are ways to show your appreciation that can be done on a shoestring.
3 Ways to Show Appreciation
1. Recognition Certificates
You can recognize employees for many different things:
- Progress – Recognize employees for progress even though they still have a lot to learn.
- Achievement – What have they done during the year that merits recognition.
- Personal Qualities– What qualities do your administrative professionals have that make them valuable. Is it consistency, enthusiasm, empathy, helpfulness, dependability, etc
- Workplace Anniversaries – Award certificates for the number of years employees have worked.
A certificate doesn’t have to cost more than the paper it is printed on to make it special to the employee. A certificate can be framed and displayed proudly by employees. Certificates remind employees that they are valued and appreciated.
2. Thank You Letters
A heartfelt “Thank You Letter” will be treasured for years, and will be shared with employees’ families. Many supervisors and managers find it difficult to express their appreciation in words. The written appreciation can be so much easier, especially if you have sample Thank You Letters to use. That way, you only have to add a personal note. Here’s an example:
Dear Employee, Thank you so much for being responsible about coming to work on time every day! I am grateful for your loyalty to our department and your interest in your job. Your punctuality shows others what it means to be a caring employee, and it helps our company succeed on a daily basis. Your reliability is admired and valued. With appreciation,
Supervisor,
ABC Company
Ten things to thank your Administrative Professionals for:
- Coming to work on time every day
- Not missing work except for illness
- Being willing to help coworkers with their work
- Helping make a deadline
- Staying late to finish a project
- Having a positive attitude
- Being enthusiastic
- Having a contagious smile
- Always looking for ways to be more efficient
- Paying attention to details
And these are just to get you started thinking. Try to pick out something special for each employee. A letter will be a constant reminder of your appreciation.
3. The Perfect No-Cost Gift – “Time Off” Coupons
Your employees will appreciate this more than a gift that is soon forgotten. Time is very precious – especially if your employees have school age children, there is never enough time to get things done, much less do something special. With a “Time Off” coupon your employee can attend a child’s school program, do some much needed shopping, get home early to prepare a special dinner for the family, or do something special – just for me!.
You will save time shopping for gifts for employees.It doesn’t cost your company extra out-of-pocket money. What’s more… Your employees will work harder the day they use their coupon to get their work done. Other employees will pitch in and help because they will have their “Time Off” opportunities, too.
Of course, you have to set up some guidelines such as approving the time off in advance to make sure there will be enough other employees to get the work done.
Here are some Time Off Coupon ideas.
- 30 Minutes Late
- 1 Hour off
- 1/2 Day off
- 1 Day off
How to distribute the coupons
- Insert into your “Thank You Card” or give with the Recognition Certificate
- Print each different type of coupon on a different color paper.
- Bind them together to create a coupon booklet that employees can use through the year.
You can even use all three ways to appreciate each employee:
- Recognition Certificate
- Thank You Letter
- Time Off Coupon
Add a some Hershey’s Kisses and your employees will think you’re an Administrative Professionals Day hero.
Best of all… You can download everything! that is… except the Hershey’s Kisses.
We have written over 30 sample thank you letters. They are included along with the downloadable Recognition Certificates, Employee Coupons, and over 50 Employee Appreciation Activities.
They are all in one online place, the Employee Morale Center.
It’s an on-line membership site that has everything you need for raising employee morale and creating happy, motivated employees.
Already a member? Click on Membership Login in the top navigation bar.
Not a member yet? I invite you to get a trial 30 day membership today and download the Recognition Certificates and Coupons immediately. Learn more at www.EmployeeMoraleCenter.com
Do you have any employee appreciation or recognition ideas?
Do you have any no-cost or low cost ways to appreciate employees? If so, please share them by adding your comments below the author box.
