Hot tips for planning an employee appreciation event
Research shows that employees want more than monetary reward for a job well done. While a bonus or a raise is obviously welcome, there are other ways to show your employees that they are appreciated and that their hard work is noticed. One of these ways is to host a regular employee appreciation event.
Depending on your work environment, organisational culture, and employee interests, your employee appreciation event could take different forms, from a fun outdoor activity to a pamper day held at your offices.
Whatever you decide to do to put a smile on your employee’s faces, here are three hot tips for planning your next employee appreciation event:
1. Plan ahead
Employee events should be fun, not stressful so make sure to plan ahead and get all the details sorted sooner rather than later. Decide on the venue, theme, menu, and any extras like fun awards or recognition certificates and gifts. Also get buy-in from senior management to join in the fun – it’s an important part of enhancing your company culture.
2. Pick an event that’s a good fit
If you want to involve all your employees and make sure they truly enjoy themselves, take into account your workplace demographics. Choose events and gifts that take will speak to all generations and backgrounds. Even better if you can connect these to your company’s values and goals.
3. The food, the food, the food
No celebration is complete without a solid menu! Food is a great way to bring people together so make it part of your event (order a catered lunch, and theme it accordingly) or make it the event. Get professional help to set up food stations, or platters depending on where and what you’ve chosen to do. For example, if you’re hosting an outdoor picnic, gourmet picnic baskets to be shared in small groups is a great idea and lots of fun too!
When planning the menu, don’t forget to take into account any special dietary or religious requirements. Make sure everyone has something they can eat. The same goes for the drinks menu – not everyone enjoys alcohol so make sure there are some alternatives at hand.
Employee appreciation events are a chance to have some fun with your employees while showing them that they are an important part of your organisation. Plan ahead and your event is sure to be a success!
We understand what it takes to set up, service, and manage a corporate gathering. As experienced caterers, we provide full-service custom catering for corporate events, private parties and weddings within Durban, Umhlanga, Ballito, Zinkwazi, the North & South Coast, Nottingham Road & the Midlands, and surrounding KZN areas.