Great Time For Bosses to Say Thanks to Employees--And Show They Mean It

Those who are fortunate enough to have a job in these tough economic times are often working longer hours and carrying the workload normally done by two or more workers. The holiday season is the perfect time for employers to show their employers they appreciate their efforts. Appreciation doesn't necessarily have to come in a monetary form but, still, should come in a way that show that the employer really means it.

Nelson, a career and relationship expert who was a keynote speaker earlier this month at a conference (Valuation 2011) in Holland on how appreciating employers not only is the right thing to do but can also increase business profits, suggests that bosses can demonstrate their appreciation for their employees in a number of simple ways.

--Catch someone doing something right--your praise must be spontaneous and specific. By being specific (i.e., "thanks for getting that rush job out for XYZ company"), you are showing your employees that you truly recognize their work and aren't just churning out generic "great job" kudos.

--Say "thank you" more. Sure, your workers do good work and you may feel that their paycheck should be thank you enough--but it's not. People don't like to work in a vacuum where their hard work goes unnoticed or the only time their work is noticed is when they mess up. Say thank you often and say it with meaning. And, while you're at it, say "please" when asking for something. No one likes hearing the boss barking out orders all day.

--Circulate around the office. Let yourself be seen and be accessible to employees. You want your employees to feel comfortable talking with you and expressing their ideas and concerns. They can't do that if you're hiding in your office or only surrounding yourself with your executive team. You'll get to know your workers and they'll know you, which will make everyone feel part of a team.

--Show greater work flexibility around the holidays. Give extra time off--even if it's a few hours here and there. Set up a holiday schedule to ensure everyone can enjoy more down time.

--Give meaningful gifts. Money is always appreciated but not always possible. If a modest gift is all that's affordable, make sure the gift is meaningful--even if it's a gift card to a store that the employee is known to frequent. Taking the time to know your employees' interests will go a long way in letting them know they are appreciated and valued.