When a workplace event is coming up, the mood in the office changes completely. People are more energized and excited. There's anticipation, and therefore conversation, among colleagues. There's a greater sense of community and positivity — and with positivity comes productivity.
Employees want opportunities to connect with each other. They want to be engaged, as well as recognized and rewarded for their efforts. Above all, they want to enjoy coming to work. And that's why employee events make such a difference for businesses.
So what employee events and milestones can you celebrate — and how should you celebrate them? Answering these questions should be a top priority for employers.
Benefits of practicing employee appreciation
The connection between positivity and productivity isn't just anecdotal. There's plenty of well-documented evidence that employees are more likely to excel in their jobs when they're confident that their contributions are valued. A variety of other personal and professional benefits extend from this:
Increased workplace satisfaction: A sense of being recognized and appreciated can lead to a brighter outlook on the employee's role and position in the business.
Enhanced employee engagement: When people thrive, they have more incentive to strive — to put more innovation and creativity into their work, and take pride in it.
Higher retention and lower attrition: Employee turnover is a costly problem for companies to have, and people who feel fulfilled in their jobs are less likely to leave them.
Attracting and recruiting top talent: Getting skilled workers can be competitive, and qualified prospects are selective in choosing employers that create great workplaces.
Improved company performance: When employees are invested in their work — and know that their company is invested in them — it elevates the entire organization.
Three types of employee appreciation events
When planning employee appreciation events, there are three main categories to consider: personal events that celebrate moments in employees' individual lives, professional events that acknowledge their success or tenure in the workplace, and corporate events that give everyone a chance to get together at certain times each year. Here are examples of these events and tips on how to commemorate them.
Personal milestones
There are many landmark moments that employees may experience during their tenure. Birthdays are an obvious one, as they occur every year, but other occasions such as weddings, baby announcements, and graduations or completion of certifications, are always a big deal.
A special occasion calls for a celebration, and a celebration calls for a meal — but that doesn't mean you have to turn everything into a huge party. You can host a small in-office get-together if it feels appropriate, and order a shared meal for attendees. Meal vouchers or gift cards are also thoughtful, individualized presents that let employees treat themselves on their own time, on their own terms.
Professional milestones
Workplace wins may present more opportunities to celebrate collectively — if not always with the entire organization, then at least within individual departments or teams.
They can range from celebrating a first day on the job or a new promotion to a work anniversary or retirement. There are also project-related milestones to consider, such as closing a deal, meeting a deadline, or launching a new product or service.
Placing a group order from a favorite local restaurant lets you bring teams together to recognize successes such as these, though providing meal credits that can easily be expensed is an excellent way to include hybrid or remote workers. Again, virtual gift cards or vouchers are wonderful personalized options for letting employees know that the company is grateful for all that they do.
Corporate events
When it's time for corporate event planning, think of how you can create functions for your employees — like awards ceremonies that mark milestones — to come together for a meal.
If your teams share an office space where everyone works, you might host quarterly off-sites for different departments. Conversely, if your workforce is hybrid, quarterly on-sites are an opportunity for employees to see each other in person. Of course, the most popular corporate events usually include a summer social halfway through the year and a holiday party near year-end to celebrate company and employee achievements.
Also, don't forget about Employee Appreciation Day, which has been a mainstay on the corporate calendar since 1995 and is commemorated on the first Friday of March.
More employee appreciation events and ideas
While these corporate lunch ideas and other potential employee events are engaging, enjoyable, and effective ways to show your teams you appreciate them, they're not the only way. Letting your workforce take a half-day, rewarding an employee with a paid staycation or travel experience, or offering learning and development opportunities are examples of some of the other meaningful ways to say thank you.
Want to know how you can make the most of these employee meal ideas to bring your team together and build a more creative, collaborative, and compassionate company? Download the Employee Events Handbook from DoorDash for Business.
