As we say goodbye to fall and hello to winter, your staff is likely gearing up for the holiday season rush. As past and present pet parents drop their four-legged family members off with you, your staff is preparing to carefully and wonderfully handle the big rush. As they go above and beyond to treat client pets as their own, it’s wise to find ways to show your staff how much you care.

Here are 6 great ways to show staff you care about them this holiday season.

 

Host An Event

While this might seem like an impossible feat considering everything going on around during the holidays, taking time to host a special event, even if it’s small, can make a huge difference in employee morale. Taking time to host an event shows that despite all the craziness happening around, you’re still keeping staff on your mind. You don’t have to throw an Oscar-worthy party, but a simple happy hour or after-holidays party can help boost morale and keep everyone happy.

 

WorksGiving

Not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving but who can say no to free lunch? Give the gift of a delicious meal to your hardworking staff! A multi-culture potluck or a catered lunch can help stretched thin employees refresh and reset while at work. If time is too tight during the workday, consider hosting an after-hours worksgiving.

Write a Note

Sure, our world may be totally digital but there’s still something special about receiving a handwritten thank you note. Take 15-20 minutes out of your day to write a handwritten thank-you note to each of your staff members. Don’t forget about the other important members that help you run your business like delivery persons, mail persons, and anyone else that may not work at the facility on a daily basis but still help to keep you in business.

 

Holiday Bonus

Ok, do we need to say more? Sure, there’s a lot of studies that say money isn’t the main or only extrinsic motivator for employees. But have you ever met someone who would say no to extra cash during the holidays? Probably not!

 

Get Social

Social media isn’t just for marketing and advertising! Use it to highlight your staff’s hard work over the last year. You can highlight each individual employee or do a broad post covering everyone. Whichever you decide to do, don’t forget to tag them!

 

Be Flexible

It’s the holidays and if the Grinch’s heart can grow so can yours! Don’t be afraid to get a little flexible and practice some compassion. Many people are far from their friends and family and this is the one time of the year they get to see everyone. Offering flex hours and schedules can help your staff feel appreciated and cared for. Besides, it won’t hurt for you to get your hands a little dirty. As a manager or owner, you shouldn’t steer clear of taking off your boss hat and putting on a different one when necessary.

 

Gratitude is the Attitude

Gratitude can go a long way in business. Don’t forget to practice gratitude this holiday season with your staff, clients, and yourself.