Valentine’s Day isn’t just about flowers and chocolates—it’s also a perfect opportunity to express gratitude to those who make your workplace thrive. Employee appreciation goes beyond a once-a-year acknowledgment; it plays a crucial role in fostering engagement, boosting morale, and increasing retention. A culture of appreciation ensures that employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to contribute their best work.
Why Employee Appreciation Matters
Recognition isn’t just a feel-good gesture—it has tangible benefits for both employees and organizations. When employees feel appreciated, they are more engaged, productive, and committed to their roles. A culture of appreciation also strengthens professional development and workplace relationships, fostering an environment where employees can grow and succeed.
Ways to Show Your Team You Care
At myHR Partner, we believe in recognizing and celebrating our team members in meaningful ways. Below, we share some of our own employee appreciation strategies, offering real examples of how we foster engagement and a sense of belonging.
1. Create Engaging & Fun Experiences
A little friendly competition can go a long way in bringing people together. We host virtual engagement events every quarter, including virtual escape rooms, Bingo Bash, Pictionary, Co-Worker Feud, Scavenger Hunts, and Wheel of Fortune. These activities allow team members to connect, laugh, and take a break from their daily work routine.
We also embrace the festive spirit with themed events, such as Halloween Costume Parties and Ugly Sweater Parties, making sure to celebrate moments of joy throughout the year.
As a 100% remote company, we also gather in person to attend an annual retreat, where team members can build relationships and collaborate face-to-face.
2. Recognize Contributions in Meaningful Ways
Employee recognition doesn’t always need to be a grand gesture—it’s the thoughtfulness behind it that counts. In the past, Tina Hamilton, our founder, personally sent handwritten cards to every team member for Employee Appreciation Day, reinforcing our commitment to recognizing individual contributions. While we keep some appreciation efforts as surprises, small, heartfelt gestures like these make a lasting impact.
Additionally, our weekly Wednesday Huddles and Friday myHR Strong sessions provide a consistent space for team engagement, knowledge sharing, and recognition. These ongoing touchpoints help employees feel connected and appreciated on a regular basis. We also incorporate "high fives" during meetings, providing opportunities to highlight someone’s great work in a simple yet meaningful way.
Eager to create a happier, more harmonious, and more productive workplace? Grab our FREE Go-To Guide to Creating an Employee Recognition Program.
3. Celebrate Life’s Special Moments
Acknowledging milestones—both personal and professional—helps employees feel valued beyond their work contributions. We host virtual celebrations for life events like weddings and baby showers, creating a space for our team to share in each other’s happiness.
We also love to bring our team together in person when possible. Each summer, we host a “locals’ picnic” for our Pennsylvania-based team members and their families, strengthening connections outside of work.
4. Encourage Wellness & Social Connection
Employee well-being is a key part of appreciation. We host lunchtime virtual walk sessions that encourage employees to take a break, physically move, and mentally reset. We’ve also hosted virtual happy hours where team members can unwind and catch up in a relaxed setting.
We also like to add a creative twist to our myHR Strong sessions. For example, we recently went ‘Back to School,’ which encouraged everyone to show their school spirit by wearing their high school, college, or favorite sports team colors—or even sharing their old grad or prom photos. This fun and engaging experience celebrated team pride, school spirit, and personal achievements.
Making Employee Appreciation a Year-Round Commitment
While Valentine’s Day is a great reminder to show appreciation, it should be an ongoing effort rather than a once- or twice-a-year event. Consistently recognizing employees, fostering engagement, and creating opportunities for connection all contribute to a thriving workplace culture.
Building a culture of appreciation means weaving gratitude into everyday interactions, whether it’s through a simple thank-you message, a thoughtful note, or a structured recognition program. By prioritizing appreciation year-round, organizations can create a more motivated, engaged, and fulfilled workforce.
How Does Your Company Show Appreciation?
At myHR Partner, we specialize in helping businesses foster strong employee relationships through meaningful recognition, engagement strategies, and workplace culture initiatives. If you’re looking for guidance on how to build a culture of appreciation within your organization, reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help!
