Thanksgiving is when we take the time to feel thankful for what we have. Usually, this is with our close family and friends. This season, spread gratitude around because your coworkers and employees deserve recognition, too. Help create a positive, engaging, and rewarding company culture using some of these ideas to celebrate at work.
1. Wall of Thanks
Creating a wall of thanks is one way to help employees get into the spirit. Encourage employees and executives to contribute by writing down who they are thankful for and why and pinning it up. Make your wall a beautiful fall decoration by choosing a theme, such as a giant tree, pumpkin patch, or an elaborate turkey. Each note can be written on prepared sheets shaped like leaves, pumpkins, or feathers. Get as creative as you like. Start your wall of thanks at the beginning of November so that by the end of the month, everyone has had a chance to share their gratitude and contribute to the office art piece.
2. Thanksgiving Pie Contest
If you feel like having more than one feast in November might strain your belt loops, opt for something less that’s just as delicious: a pie contest. This activity inspires employee participation and adds light-hearted fun to the workday. Choose a day for employees to bring in home-baked or store-bought pies. Get a few staff volunteers to be the judges and give out funny prizes (“most creative flavor,” “best decorated,” and so on). When the results are in, everyone can enjoy coffee and a slice together, the perfect time to give a little thank you speech to tell your staff how much you appreciate them.
3. Team Volunteering to Give Back
Thanksgiving is all about counting your blessings, but why not give others something to be thankful for? Give your staff the option of taking an afternoon off work and going in groups to contribute to the charity of their choice. During November, shelters and food pantries often do their best to provide for needy people and can always use extra hands.
4. Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch
A Thanksgiving potluck lunch allows employees to bring dishes that reflect their unique family traditions and cultures. A potluck is fun, encourages a better understanding of the traditions of different cultures, and celebrates diversity and inclusion.
5. Thanksgiving Pumpkin Spice Spread
Thanksgiving, falling leaves, pumpkin pie, and pumpkin spice are nearly inseparable. Celebrate the fall season and Thanksgiving less traditionally by creating a thank-you spread of pumpkin-spiced goodies. Get together a few tables filled with pumpkin pies and fresh whipped cream. Offer pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin bread, and other holiday-themed goodies. Add a banner letting employees know this is a thank you for them for Thanksgiving.
6. Thank-You-Grams
Show your appreciation through thank-you-grams. Set up “mailing stations” for these special messages, with instructions, pens, thank-you notes, and a Thanksgiving-themed collection box. Staff can sign their cards or make them anonymous to increase the fun. Each day or once a week during November, have an assigned staff member distribute the cards to employees’ desks. If you are the boss, don’t forget to let all your staff know how thankful you are to have them with a heartfelt note or a sign at the mailing station.
7. Donation Drive Competition
Survey employees on the top five charities in your area to find out which one they would like to donate to for Thanksgiving this year. Then, hold a donation drive competition. You can choose to raise cans of food, gently used clothing, new shoes—whatever is needed by the chosen charity. Divide the office into teams and inspire a little bit of healthy competition. Offer prizes for the first, second, and third teams, but remind everyone that they are all winners for giving others something to be thankful for.
8. Give Thanks with a Free Knowledge Sharing Workshop
Another way of giving back and showing gratitude to your community is by sharing your specialized knowledge. Collaborate with employees to offer a free knowledge-sharing workshop or offer your services to an underserved part of the community for a day in November. Not only is this an opportunity to raise awareness about your company and services, but also a great way to give back. Offer incentives or a special thank you dinner for all employees who participate.
Giving Thanks at Work: Why it Matters.
A recent study found that staff who know they will be recognized are 2.7 times more likely to be highly engaged at work. Employee appreciation can also reduce staff turnover and help build loyalty and commitment. Thanksgiving is a special time, but making employees feel valued can be done year-round with comprehensive group benefits. Our agency is ready to answer any questions about the best ways to ensure your employees feel supported with a great group benefits plan that works for them and your company’s bottom line.