Ah, the infamous pizza party. That clichéd celebration of workers going above and beyond—marked not by meaningful rewards but by razor-thin slices of cheesy bread. We all know what we’d prefer: compensation that actually matters.
Leaders, HR professionals, employers: if you want to value your team, start with a paycheck that keeps up with reality. Economic standards shift, lately faster than we’d like, yet salary scales and compensation matrices are stuck in time. Review and adjust wages every two to five years, depending on your country’s economic stability, to ensure employees receive a local living wage.
For those worried about tight budgets, one of my funnier mentors puts it best: “If you can’t pay the people who keep your business running, you have no business being in business.” Nail down this baseline first and once your employees’ fundamental benefits are met, you can go further with options like remote work flexibility, mental health days, or even sabbaticals.
Beyond cash, investing in your employees’ development with growth opportunities is a treat for you both. You can provide stipends for learning programs or sponsor conference attendance or even offer tuition reimbursement for night classes. Encourage continuing education by creating a culture that celebrates it. One client shared how their team incentivizes employees to present insights from seminars they attend. It’s not just professional development—it’s knowledge sharing that strengthens the whole organization.
Another cliche to avoid is the “Employee of the Month” plaque. It’s competitive and fosters scarcity, not gratitude. Instead, embrace superlatives that celebrate unique strengths: Best Team Player, Wildcard Problem-Solver, or Customer Whisperer. Recognize powerful contributions with handwritten, detailed thank-you cards to show you’ve been paying attention and value their hard work on a personal level.
Finally, bring your teams together for activities that refresh and recharge. Not every company has Google-level budgets for daily yoga sessions, but creativity goes a long way. Invite a yoga instructor for a quarterly class, or partner with a local gym to offer employee discounts. These moments away from the grind build camaraderie, boost performance, and remind your employees that they’re seen as whole humans, not workhorses.
In the end, it’s about showing your people that they matter—through paychecks, opportunities, recognition, and wellness. So go ahead: have fun spoiling your team. They’ve earned it.