What should I buy my employees?
February 18, 2010 10:02 AM Subscribe
What inexpensive items could I shower my employees with when I'm feeling generous?
I own a small business (around 15 people in the office at any given time). Some days, I'm feeling grumpy, most days, I'm feeling normal, and some days, I'm feeling generous.
Where we are as a company, I can't raise people's salaries when I'm feeling generous. I would, though, like to be able to bring in some gift of appreciation on occasion. When certain sales goals are met, the whole office gets lunch, and I'd like to keep the lunch reward tied to sales goals.
I assume a number of you work in some sort of office yourself. I want to limit this in time (no seven page individualized essays on why each person is a shining example of humanity) and money (this will likely come out of my pocket, and I'm not, by any means, wealthy).
Under $10 a person would make sense. I'm in a large metropolitan area, so I have access to a number of different types of shops.
What food/trinkets/*stuff* could someone at work get you that would brighten your day/make you feel happy without distracting you too much (squirt guns are probably out)?
I own a small business (around 15 people in the office at any given time). Some days, I'm feeling grumpy, most days, I'm feeling normal, and some days, I'm feeling generous.
Where we are as a company, I can't raise people's salaries when I'm feeling generous. I would, though, like to be able to bring in some gift of appreciation on occasion. When certain sales goals are met, the whole office gets lunch, and I'd like to keep the lunch reward tied to sales goals.
I assume a number of you work in some sort of office yourself. I want to limit this in time (no seven page individualized essays on why each person is a shining example of humanity) and money (this will likely come out of my pocket, and I'm not, by any means, wealthy).
Under $10 a person would make sense. I'm in a large metropolitan area, so I have access to a number of different types of shops.
What food/trinkets/*stuff* could someone at work get you that would brighten your day/make you feel happy without distracting you too much (squirt guns are probably out)?
Why not give them each a free pass for a half day off. They can leave early, come in late, whatever. I'd like that more than a bagel or a mousepad.
posted by lpsguy at 10:07 AM on February 18, 2010 [18 favorites]
posted by lpsguy at 10:07 AM on February 18, 2010 [18 favorites]
Company T-shirts? I don't get the attraction myself but people at my work go crazy over free shirts.
You could also do movie ticket vouchers or some similar event (cheap minor league sports tickets?).
posted by ghharr at 10:10 AM on February 18, 2010
You could also do movie ticket vouchers or some similar event (cheap minor league sports tickets?).
posted by ghharr at 10:10 AM on February 18, 2010
A 3 hour lunch would be nice. Coffee. I'd stay away from trinket-ey sorts of things like, I don't know, fun erasers or something.
posted by craven_morhead at 10:11 AM on February 18, 2010
posted by craven_morhead at 10:11 AM on February 18, 2010
Response by poster: @lpsguy While that would be a fantastic idea, it would end up costing the company $60 - $120 a person not counting lost sales/productivity. We work in a time sensitive business, and while we're doing well right now, we're not doing *that* well. Plus, at least for our sales time, time off just means less time to close deals. We have a half-day Friday incentive that, when earned, is usually mostly ignored by the staff, because commission is worth more than their hourly wage.
posted by duckierose at 10:12 AM on February 18, 2010
posted by duckierose at 10:12 AM on February 18, 2010
Cinema gift cards are certainly not always appreciated. Maybe by you. In general gift cards are a bad choice, because it forces people to go somewhere to redeem it that they might not want to go.
Nice coffee and tea for the office is good, or a better coffee maker. It's something the entire office can enjoy, normally. I think token gifts in lieu of raises or bonsues is pretty tacky, and I don't really appreciate it much. Call me ungrateful, but I do my job well because I take pride in my work, and don't want to feel "bribed" by my employer to continue doing a good job.
posted by shownomercy at 10:12 AM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
Nice coffee and tea for the office is good, or a better coffee maker. It's something the entire office can enjoy, normally. I think token gifts in lieu of raises or bonsues is pretty tacky, and I don't really appreciate it much. Call me ungrateful, but I do my job well because I take pride in my work, and don't want to feel "bribed" by my employer to continue doing a good job.
posted by shownomercy at 10:12 AM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
Extra paid days off, i.e. not having to use vacation time, are without doubt the best gift I've ever received from my boss.
posted by halogen at 10:14 AM on February 18, 2010
posted by halogen at 10:14 AM on February 18, 2010
Response by poster: I'm liking the suggestions, but please remember, this is going to be out of my own pocket. I am not the sole owner of the company, and while I wish I could shower ever staff member with raises and vacation time, it's not economically feasible at this time. I don't wish to give out a $5 coffee mug in lieu of a raise. I was just hoping for fun ideas to make people smile for a bit on a slow Friday afternoon, coming from a person, not The Company.
posted by duckierose at 10:20 AM on February 18, 2010
posted by duckierose at 10:20 AM on February 18, 2010
Extra time off, gift cards or a free lunch are a good bet.
posted by cwarmy at 10:23 AM on February 18, 2010
posted by cwarmy at 10:23 AM on February 18, 2010
Best answer: I think shownomercy has a good suggestion. At our office people regularly supply good tea and coffee (having both caf and decaf available), and we have a decent coffee maker, microwave, and a hot water pot/kettle. You as boss bumping up the offerings in that line to better quality sometimes would be very much appreciated around my office.
My boss also brings in bagels, cream cheese and salmon, or a selection of muffins, juices, and fruit, every once in a while.
posted by gudrun at 10:24 AM on February 18, 2010
My boss also brings in bagels, cream cheese and salmon, or a selection of muffins, juices, and fruit, every once in a while.
posted by gudrun at 10:24 AM on February 18, 2010
Ack, hit post too soon. In other words, my suggestion is - why not do some breakfast treats, since you use lunch for the sales goals rewards.
posted by gudrun at 10:26 AM on February 18, 2010
posted by gudrun at 10:26 AM on February 18, 2010
Free lunch is good, trinkets are not. I work for a very large company (think Fortune 50 big) and the rank and file get trinkets when certain goals are met. I know company-wide, this must cost thousands. I'd rather they put $3 into my paycheck or give me something useful, not some trinket that three quarters of the office immediately throws out.
posted by Brian Puccio at 10:27 AM on February 18, 2010
posted by Brian Puccio at 10:27 AM on February 18, 2010
Best answer: As a gift for the whole office - how about a fruit and/or vegetable tray for after lunch snacks? (healthier than donuts or bagels)
As a gift for individuals, try a generic (AmEx or Visa) gift card. That would give your giftees the option to spend where and when they wanted.
posted by jaimystery at 10:30 AM on February 18, 2010
As a gift for individuals, try a generic (AmEx or Visa) gift card. That would give your giftees the option to spend where and when they wanted.
posted by jaimystery at 10:30 AM on February 18, 2010
Though small and trinkety, I'd love a free usb thumb drive every so often. Anything less interesting than that would probably be a waste unless it's consumable.
posted by valadil at 10:32 AM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by valadil at 10:32 AM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
Donuts or cupcakes are good, particularly if they come from a good bakery. Homemade baked goods are good (provided you can bake) and add a personal touch.
Letting people leave one or two hours early on a slow Friday, especially when it's really nice out, is always appreciated.
A couple suggestions that may or may not be possible depending on the nature of your business:
If you have a dress code, and if it's possible for all of your employees to dress casually most or all of the time without affecting business, relaxing the dress code might be a good long-term way to show appreciation.
If your employees are able to telecommute, you could try allowing them a certain number of work-from-home days a month.
Finally, if you have a receptionist or other support staff, be sure you reward them in the same way that you do the rest of your employees. Speaking from experience, it sucks being the one person who has to man the front desk when everyone else is out to lunch or left two hours ago, and getting flowers or gift cards instead is kind of condescending.
posted by Metroid Baby at 10:34 AM on February 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
Letting people leave one or two hours early on a slow Friday, especially when it's really nice out, is always appreciated.
A couple suggestions that may or may not be possible depending on the nature of your business:
If you have a dress code, and if it's possible for all of your employees to dress casually most or all of the time without affecting business, relaxing the dress code might be a good long-term way to show appreciation.
If your employees are able to telecommute, you could try allowing them a certain number of work-from-home days a month.
Finally, if you have a receptionist or other support staff, be sure you reward them in the same way that you do the rest of your employees. Speaking from experience, it sucks being the one person who has to man the front desk when everyone else is out to lunch or left two hours ago, and getting flowers or gift cards instead is kind of condescending.
posted by Metroid Baby at 10:34 AM on February 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
. Dressdown days - the option to wear jeans on a particular Friday.
. Breakfast - bring in good coffee, OJ, healthy muffins, bacon, bagels, etc.
. Massage therapist visits the office, gives 10 minute seated massages.
. Employee of the week/month preferred parking space.
. Awards - I used to work at a place where the VP's Admin Asst. kept a stash of rewards - gift cards, really good travel mugs, tshirts, etc., ranging from 15 - 50 in value. Staff could nominate someone for an Instant Award, make an award cert., and present it with a gift. Peer recognition is highly valued, and the gift reinforced it.
posted by theora55 at 10:34 AM on February 18, 2010 [5 favorites]
. Breakfast - bring in good coffee, OJ, healthy muffins, bacon, bagels, etc.
. Massage therapist visits the office, gives 10 minute seated massages.
. Employee of the week/month preferred parking space.
. Awards - I used to work at a place where the VP's Admin Asst. kept a stash of rewards - gift cards, really good travel mugs, tshirts, etc., ranging from 15 - 50 in value. Staff could nominate someone for an Instant Award, make an award cert., and present it with a gift. Peer recognition is highly valued, and the gift reinforced it.
posted by theora55 at 10:34 AM on February 18, 2010 [5 favorites]
If you're going to do gift cards, maybe give the employees each a choice of several options? Some people love coffee and hate smoothies, and some people love iTunes and hate coffee, and some people love smoothies and hate iTunes. So let them pick from 3 or 4 different gift card options, according to their own taste.
I'm pretty bitter because I hate coffee, tea, and cocoa, and all of the free perks at every office I've ever worked at have involved one or all of those three things. Why can't someone give me free Diet Coke for once?!?
posted by decathecting at 10:35 AM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'm pretty bitter because I hate coffee, tea, and cocoa, and all of the free perks at every office I've ever worked at have involved one or all of those three things. Why can't someone give me free Diet Coke for once?!?
posted by decathecting at 10:35 AM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
I think you have a great motivation, but I'll be honest that the idea feels kinda icky to me. I don't think a small, less than $10 gift, is actually going to feel that good to the employees.
I like the free lunch thing because, hey, who doesn't like free lunch plus, it brings people together, but in terms of gifts, I think it would be better to save up your $10 chunks so you can afford to provide annual bonuses or something.
posted by serazin at 10:35 AM on February 18, 2010
I like the free lunch thing because, hey, who doesn't like free lunch plus, it brings people together, but in terms of gifts, I think it would be better to save up your $10 chunks so you can afford to provide annual bonuses or something.
posted by serazin at 10:35 AM on February 18, 2010
We used to buy everyone at the office a cup of coffee and a muffin on happy days. It went down well. Just take orders, and then hand-deliver to each person's desk. The less of a big deal you make of it the more it's appreciated; you don't want to set this up as "And for my BONUS all I got was this stupid CUP OF COFFEE!"
Also remember that when things are going well, it is free to say thank you. I had to print this out and pin it over a previous boss's desk. He was under the impression that a pay check is a than you. It is not.
posted by DarlingBri at 10:36 AM on February 18, 2010
Also remember that when things are going well, it is free to say thank you. I had to print this out and pin it over a previous boss's desk. He was under the impression that a pay check is a than you. It is not.
posted by DarlingBri at 10:36 AM on February 18, 2010
Free lunch every Friday for 15 people can end up costing not that much for you out of pocket.
posted by spec80 at 10:38 AM on February 18, 2010
posted by spec80 at 10:38 AM on February 18, 2010
I work in a small office [seven people including bosses] and one of my favorite perks of the job is our Flavia coffee maker. There are coffees, and teas, and hot chocolate and crazy toppings and more. The boss keeps it stocked, and he usually picks out something new and exciting to try when he places the order for the run-of-the-mill stuff. Kind of makes you feel like a kid in a candy shop when you open up the cabinet to see the Dove hot chocolate packs with the Milky Way toppings right next to them.
posted by alynnk at 10:42 AM on February 18, 2010
posted by alynnk at 10:42 AM on February 18, 2010
15 people x $5 = about $75 total to treat the whole office, right? Suppose instead of buying things for individuals, you occasionally spent $75-$100 on something to make the office more pleasant? A K-Cup coffee maker (brews good coffee one cup at a time from small disposable coffee packs), a dart board (if this is appropriate to the atmosphere/discipline required in your office), an automatic bagel slicers... I dunno, something like that?
At a previous job, my boss would occasionally bring in a case of beer in the late afternoon when he was celebrating something. I don't drink, but that seemed to go over well with the rest of the staff.
posted by Vorteks at 10:42 AM on February 18, 2010
At a previous job, my boss would occasionally bring in a case of beer in the late afternoon when he was celebrating something. I don't drink, but that seemed to go over well with the rest of the staff.
posted by Vorteks at 10:42 AM on February 18, 2010
Food has always been the #1 most appreciated thing at the places I've worked. Ordering pizza, doughnuts in the morning, meat-and-cheese tray for afternoon break, etc. Trying to reward one person with food in the office while others do not get to partake might bring bad vibes, though. On the other hand, "Thanks to Smith for earning pizza for everyone!" is huge kudos, too.
A while back I implemented daily "to-do" sheets that helped guide employees figure out what to work on nd avoid aimlessness or asking me what to do next all the time. At first, I had a problem getting people to read them....until I started adding "write your name on a post-it and put it on my desk if you read this" somewhere towards the bottom of the sheet, and a fun-sized candy bar was the reward. I did it randomly for about two weeks and then stopped, and that was about two years ago. This week, one of my employees fondly reminisced about the good old days when they got candy for reading their "to-do" sheet. It doesn't even need to be $10 gifts -- the recognition and a "hey, thanks!" is a huge thing to employees. Buy a bag of little candy bars and give them out when deserved.
Food aside: At an insurance company I used to work at, free casual days were a big thing, because the middle-aged ladies I used to work with hated even the "business casual" dress and only wanted to wear jeans and a sweatshirt, and the bosses were strict about the dress code. It does rely a bit on what your employees want, too.
Agreed that gift cards are hit-or-miss; I for years carried around in my wallet a $5 Starbucks card that I got for doing a good job, because Corporate gave them out company-wide and Fargo didn't have a Starbuck's yet...plus I wasn't a coffee drinker. I think I ended up mailing it to a sibling. Make sure it's something accessible and enjoyable, otherwise it feels like an empty reward.
posted by AzraelBrown at 10:42 AM on February 18, 2010 [3 favorites]
A while back I implemented daily "to-do" sheets that helped guide employees figure out what to work on nd avoid aimlessness or asking me what to do next all the time. At first, I had a problem getting people to read them....until I started adding "write your name on a post-it and put it on my desk if you read this" somewhere towards the bottom of the sheet, and a fun-sized candy bar was the reward. I did it randomly for about two weeks and then stopped, and that was about two years ago. This week, one of my employees fondly reminisced about the good old days when they got candy for reading their "to-do" sheet. It doesn't even need to be $10 gifts -- the recognition and a "hey, thanks!" is a huge thing to employees. Buy a bag of little candy bars and give them out when deserved.
Food aside: At an insurance company I used to work at, free casual days were a big thing, because the middle-aged ladies I used to work with hated even the "business casual" dress and only wanted to wear jeans and a sweatshirt, and the bosses were strict about the dress code. It does rely a bit on what your employees want, too.
Agreed that gift cards are hit-or-miss; I for years carried around in my wallet a $5 Starbucks card that I got for doing a good job, because Corporate gave them out company-wide and Fargo didn't have a Starbuck's yet...plus I wasn't a coffee drinker. I think I ended up mailing it to a sibling. Make sure it's something accessible and enjoyable, otherwise it feels like an empty reward.
posted by AzraelBrown at 10:42 AM on February 18, 2010 [3 favorites]
No company promotional mugs, etc. Gifting that stuff to employees rubs them the wrong way, understandably. And, while nice, certain kinds of snacks are actually a source of misery to anyone watching their weight.
One vote for trinkets:
I think silly yet useful office supplies and desk paraphernalia lift people's spirits much higher than the predictable coffee card does. Not dollar store junk, but higher-quality stuff from creative, artsy shops, like notepads with funny sayings, neat magnets or tacks, mugs, brightly coloured scissors...Just don't give everyone the exact same trinkety thing.
posted by kitcat at 10:45 AM on February 18, 2010
One vote for trinkets:
I think silly yet useful office supplies and desk paraphernalia lift people's spirits much higher than the predictable coffee card does. Not dollar store junk, but higher-quality stuff from creative, artsy shops, like notepads with funny sayings, neat magnets or tacks, mugs, brightly coloured scissors...Just don't give everyone the exact same trinkety thing.
posted by kitcat at 10:45 AM on February 18, 2010
One of the toughest things about having a desk job is the stiffness and urge to move that some people get after a while. Giving the employees something that encourages them get up and move for 5-10 minutes a few times per day (and makes it obvious that this isn't frowned upon) would be well received by many, I think. Not sure what that would be though.
posted by Vorteks at 10:49 AM on February 18, 2010
posted by Vorteks at 10:49 AM on February 18, 2010
Nerf guns.
posted by tastybrains at 10:50 AM on February 18, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by tastybrains at 10:50 AM on February 18, 2010 [5 favorites]
I really don't mean to be snarky, but did you ever see the episode of The Office where Michael gives out ice cream sandwiches? Giving out budget items that might not be appreciated can actually be discouraging.
If you are on a tight budget and want to thank staff for a job well done, the best thing to do is to sincerely thank them for a job well done. That can mean a lot.
If/when you have more resources, a raise or time off is the proper way to reward them.
posted by quarterframer at 11:01 AM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
If you are on a tight budget and want to thank staff for a job well done, the best thing to do is to sincerely thank them for a job well done. That can mean a lot.
If/when you have more resources, a raise or time off is the proper way to reward them.
posted by quarterframer at 11:01 AM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
Nthing the food suggestions. Maybe skew it a bit different than just a box of doughnut holes or coffee.
Maybe instead, buy a blender [one-time cost] and occasionally bring in big baskets of fruit for people to make smoothies? And if they want to bring their own on regular days, they have that option as well.
Or something like a tray of cannolis or bakery-style cookies. I also love theora's idea of a quickie chair massage.
posted by rachaelfaith at 11:01 AM on February 18, 2010
Maybe instead, buy a blender [one-time cost] and occasionally bring in big baskets of fruit for people to make smoothies? And if they want to bring their own on regular days, they have that option as well.
Or something like a tray of cannolis or bakery-style cookies. I also love theora's idea of a quickie chair massage.
posted by rachaelfaith at 11:01 AM on February 18, 2010
Steak knives!
posted by rokusan at 11:03 AM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by rokusan at 11:03 AM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
Where I work, we got wind-up radios. They're awesome and I use mine every day (we had to take them home though, we don't use them at work!).
At a place I used to work we got fruit and bagel baskets every Friday. That was great, too.
But the best was when the department all went out for drinks on a Friday night and the big boss kicked in £100 to start of the kitty for the drinks. Getting absolutely plastered together was great for morale and team spirit.
posted by hazyjane at 11:09 AM on February 18, 2010
At a place I used to work we got fruit and bagel baskets every Friday. That was great, too.
But the best was when the department all went out for drinks on a Friday night and the big boss kicked in £100 to start of the kitty for the drinks. Getting absolutely plastered together was great for morale and team spirit.
posted by hazyjane at 11:09 AM on February 18, 2010
Stand by the door as people are leaving on Friday and hand each an under $10 bottle of wine (go to a wine shop and tell them what you need it for, they will recommend something in your price range that will appeal to many tastes).
posted by nestor_makhno at 11:15 AM on February 18, 2010
posted by nestor_makhno at 11:15 AM on February 18, 2010
Be careful not to run afoul of Sarbanes Oxley.
I don't have any specific advice, but please careful of 'one size fits all', not everybody wants a Starbucks or Home Depot card.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 11:24 AM on February 18, 2010
I don't have any specific advice, but please careful of 'one size fits all', not everybody wants a Starbucks or Home Depot card.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 11:24 AM on February 18, 2010
Weirdly, one of the best things I ever got from a job was really nice pens. Not "fine pens" just an upgrade from the standard crappy ballpoint pens that were bought as office supplies, which were constantly dying. Its the little things that make a difference sometimes. Another perk from that same job was small notepads with our names on them. Sounds stupid, but it made us all feel more professional.
A friend talks all the time about her boss' Flavia that he lets the whole office use.
posted by anastasiav at 11:28 AM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
A friend talks all the time about her boss' Flavia that he lets the whole office use.
posted by anastasiav at 11:28 AM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
Why not ask each employee what they would like, provided it fits within your understandable and reasonable constraints?
Fancy coffee, donuts, casual dress days can be nice but everyone is unique. In my opinion, if you value my work then please don't waste your money on a gift card. I'd prefer the $4 in cash please.
posted by J-Garr at 11:34 AM on February 18, 2010
Fancy coffee, donuts, casual dress days can be nice but everyone is unique. In my opinion, if you value my work then please don't waste your money on a gift card. I'd prefer the $4 in cash please.
posted by J-Garr at 11:34 AM on February 18, 2010
Maybe not quite what you're looking for, but a data point....
In the office where I work, the manager-folk take their employees out for lunch near the end of the year. It's not a company-paid thing, and the employees get to pick the place(within reason, maybe $20/person). There's generally a very short speech thanking everyone for their work in the previous year.
I've been "incentivized" at a couple different companies, but for a budget friendly option, this has had the most effect on my morale.
It does require a little advance planning and scheduling, and as someone mentioned up above, you have to make sure ALL parties are included, which can be tricky if someone always has to be manning the phones.
posted by specialnobodie at 11:39 AM on February 18, 2010
In the office where I work, the manager-folk take their employees out for lunch near the end of the year. It's not a company-paid thing, and the employees get to pick the place(within reason, maybe $20/person). There's generally a very short speech thanking everyone for their work in the previous year.
I've been "incentivized" at a couple different companies, but for a budget friendly option, this has had the most effect on my morale.
It does require a little advance planning and scheduling, and as someone mentioned up above, you have to make sure ALL parties are included, which can be tricky if someone always has to be manning the phones.
posted by specialnobodie at 11:39 AM on February 18, 2010
My husband's employer gives away free beverages from the vending machine on each employee's birthday. He says that they do something to disable the coin deposit, so you just have to hit the button and your drink pops out. This has always gone over well.
posted by SamanthaK at 11:44 AM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by SamanthaK at 11:44 AM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
A small fridge stocked with sodas, water, fruit juice, iced tea, etc. always went over well in the offices I've worked in.
posted by telophase at 11:56 AM on February 18, 2010
posted by telophase at 11:56 AM on February 18, 2010
How flexable is everyone's time when they are at the office? If they regularly use (or need) small breaks throughout the day, maybe buy a used Wii and TV for the break room (if you have one). This only works if you are in a workplace where people aren't going to neglect their jobs because of it, but if everyone takes their lunch at around the same time, you can have tournaments each week, and from then on have small prizes for those competitions.
posted by markblasco at 12:13 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by markblasco at 12:13 PM on February 18, 2010
Maybe you could have a prize drawer like at the dentist's office? You could fill it with starbucks cards and coffee mugs and Little Debbie snacks.
posted by ian1977 at 12:28 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by ian1977 at 12:28 PM on February 18, 2010
My awesome boss brought in milk and cookies as a treat after we all got through a fairly rough certification program.
posted by Gridlock Joe at 12:47 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by Gridlock Joe at 12:47 PM on February 18, 2010
write each employee a nice note on the back of a $5 bill, and then draw a funny face on the front of it.
posted by rebent at 1:08 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by rebent at 1:08 PM on February 18, 2010
At my favorite employer, we got a card a couple of times a year with a couple of paragraphs about what we did well...and there was a small, stocked 'stress candy' bowl in a cabinet. Could put sugar-free or low-cal candy in there too.
posted by eleanna at 1:27 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by eleanna at 1:27 PM on February 18, 2010
I try to spoil my staff as much as possible, but I have less folks to take care of than you do. Here are some of the things we do:
1. I recently sprang for a Keurig coffee maker and lots of varieties of tea/coffee/hot chocolate based on everyone's preferences. That was a Big Hit.
2. I pick up flowers for special occasions.
3. I generally take my staff our for a group lunch on birthdays. A nice alternative is a birthday cake and a card that sincerely expresses my appreciation. (Sometimes I do both . . . but again, less people than you to take care of.)
4. We do a group Xmas exchange. I bake cookies and bring fudge for Xmas too. The handwritten cards are especially appreciated.
5. I tell my staff a lot how great each is, and what specifically I appreciate about their work. This never seems to get old for them.
6. I compliment my staff to other people and clients, preferably when my staff is present.
7. I try to be a resource when one of my staff is having a tough time personally. That's a good time to take someone out for a drink, too.
8. I bring back silly but cute gifts from trips.
posted by bearwife at 1:29 PM on February 18, 2010
1. I recently sprang for a Keurig coffee maker and lots of varieties of tea/coffee/hot chocolate based on everyone's preferences. That was a Big Hit.
2. I pick up flowers for special occasions.
3. I generally take my staff our for a group lunch on birthdays. A nice alternative is a birthday cake and a card that sincerely expresses my appreciation. (Sometimes I do both . . . but again, less people than you to take care of.)
4. We do a group Xmas exchange. I bake cookies and bring fudge for Xmas too. The handwritten cards are especially appreciated.
5. I tell my staff a lot how great each is, and what specifically I appreciate about their work. This never seems to get old for them.
6. I compliment my staff to other people and clients, preferably when my staff is present.
7. I try to be a resource when one of my staff is having a tough time personally. That's a good time to take someone out for a drink, too.
8. I bring back silly but cute gifts from trips.
posted by bearwife at 1:29 PM on February 18, 2010
kitcat: "No company promotional mugs, etc. Gifting that stuff to employees rubs them the wrong way, understandably. ."
It depends on the type of company you work at. I work at a blood bank, and we have tons of promotional items floating around. Once in a while when we have a surplus, every employee will get a polo, t-shirt or some other desirable item. They love it.
posted by radioamy at 1:30 PM on February 18, 2010
It depends on the type of company you work at. I work at a blood bank, and we have tons of promotional items floating around. Once in a while when we have a surplus, every employee will get a polo, t-shirt or some other desirable item. They love it.
posted by radioamy at 1:30 PM on February 18, 2010
a pinata filled with various little chapsticks and drug store sample sizes.
posted by WeekendJen at 2:19 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by WeekendJen at 2:19 PM on February 18, 2010
If you're going to bring in food please make it healthy. It sucks having to make the choice of either no longer having morning or afternoon tea with colleagues or sitting there repeatedly telling people that actually, no, I can't eat all those empty calories. Baked goods, pizza, whatever are fine once or twice a year but more often than that and you're just alienating anyone who has to think about what they eat (which is actually rather a lot of us and not just for the reasons you might think).
Providing fruit is a great option instead, it's pretty to look at, sweet, and good for you. Bonus points for weird fruit like lychees. I've worked a few places that have a fruit bowl, so has my boyfriend, and it's awesome. My current job also often gets avocados on our teatable which people can then add to their sandwiches and stuff, and they're very popular. Good quality tea and coffee stuff (both the food side and the equipment to make it side) also goes a long way to making life a lot nicer at work. You can get creative and bring in herbal teas or flavoured coffees or possibly fresh squeezed orange juice stuff, that's a bit different and interesting.
posted by shelleycat at 2:51 PM on February 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
Providing fruit is a great option instead, it's pretty to look at, sweet, and good for you. Bonus points for weird fruit like lychees. I've worked a few places that have a fruit bowl, so has my boyfriend, and it's awesome. My current job also often gets avocados on our teatable which people can then add to their sandwiches and stuff, and they're very popular. Good quality tea and coffee stuff (both the food side and the equipment to make it side) also goes a long way to making life a lot nicer at work. You can get creative and bring in herbal teas or flavoured coffees or possibly fresh squeezed orange juice stuff, that's a bit different and interesting.
posted by shelleycat at 2:51 PM on February 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
The best boss I ever worked for was very tough. But a "thank you" from him meant so much to me. He'd say "thanks" as a matter of course but when it was deserved, he'd say something like "hey, GREAT job, thank you very much" and it was way more gratifying than a $5 gift card or a candy bar could ever be. One time after I finished a really big project, he thanked me in a staff meeting and that was really awesome.
Honestly? I get where you're coming from but receiving a trinket like a mug or a little gift card would feel demeaning to me .. sort of like giving a dog a biscuit. It all depends on the culture of your office of course. But a sincere "thank you" is the second best reward, next to cash of course.
posted by Kangaroo at 3:04 PM on February 18, 2010
Honestly? I get where you're coming from but receiving a trinket like a mug or a little gift card would feel demeaning to me .. sort of like giving a dog a biscuit. It all depends on the culture of your office of course. But a sincere "thank you" is the second best reward, next to cash of course.
posted by Kangaroo at 3:04 PM on February 18, 2010
My vote goes for a Keurig coffee maker, or some other single cup brewer. It stinks to go into the break room and there's only the weak brew from George in accounting or the 2 hr. old pot of acidic grossness from that fellow in IT brews up. It's so nice to be able to choose any flavor of coffee, tea or hot cocoa and have a cup in 60 seconds.
I have a Keurig sitting on my desk at home so I can attest to its awesomeness.
posted by julie_of_the_jungle at 3:22 PM on February 18, 2010
I have a Keurig sitting on my desk at home so I can attest to its awesomeness.
posted by julie_of_the_jungle at 3:22 PM on February 18, 2010
Movie passes.
Starbucks cards.
Friday afternoon beer and wine while you work.
Cool notepads.
Gourmet cookies or chocolate.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 3:40 PM on February 18, 2010
Starbucks cards.
Friday afternoon beer and wine while you work.
Cool notepads.
Gourmet cookies or chocolate.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 3:40 PM on February 18, 2010
Nthing fruit. The best thing about my last job was the regularly-restocked fruit bowl in the kitchen. It makes nearly everyone happy!
I think the question of whether trinkety gifts could be seen as demeaning depends heavily on the workplace culture - at some places (including my current job) people would take it as the bit of fun you're intending, at others they might feel insulted, but that's something you'd have to judge for yourself as none of us work for you.
I'm inclined to say good for you for looking for ways to cheer up your staff.
posted by daisyk at 4:28 PM on February 18, 2010
I think the question of whether trinkety gifts could be seen as demeaning depends heavily on the workplace culture - at some places (including my current job) people would take it as the bit of fun you're intending, at others they might feel insulted, but that's something you'd have to judge for yourself as none of us work for you.
I'm inclined to say good for you for looking for ways to cheer up your staff.
posted by daisyk at 4:28 PM on February 18, 2010
I've worked in a lot of offices (big and small) as a temp, long and short term. I really hated "trinkets" because most of them are cheaply made and don't say "thanks" as much as some people think they do.
I do like t-shirts, but they tend to end up in my closet because I don't like to be a walking billboard.
At the risk of repeating things:
Good coffee pots and good coffee are great.
Fruit trays and good things to eat (not donut holes) are also great.
Stocked refrigerators also a plus
Casual Fridays are an ultra special bonus.
The biggest thing to remember is to make whatever you do *feel* like something special and not like a cheap "here you go, hope you like it."
posted by patheral at 4:37 PM on February 18, 2010
I do like t-shirts, but they tend to end up in my closet because I don't like to be a walking billboard.
At the risk of repeating things:
Good coffee pots and good coffee are great.
Fruit trays and good things to eat (not donut holes) are also great.
Stocked refrigerators also a plus
Casual Fridays are an ultra special bonus.
The biggest thing to remember is to make whatever you do *feel* like something special and not like a cheap "here you go, hope you like it."
posted by patheral at 4:37 PM on February 18, 2010
Not really spontaneous - but an office well stocked with nice coffee and teas, creamer, some boxes of snacks like fruit and granola bars is a nice work environment.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 5:02 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by Solon and Thanks at 5:02 PM on February 18, 2010
Don't underestimate the psychological effect of crisp, fresh currency.
posted by dblslash at 5:20 PM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by dblslash at 5:20 PM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
Yes, Keurig's rule, especially when you have peppermint tea and hot chocolate.
One way to offset your expenses is to gamble with your staff with the stipulation that all or some of the earnings have to go the food / candy / etc. pool. For example, I just bet one of my developers $10.00 that the dev. server would be in place by Friday. It went in yesterday and I won the ten bucks. I took all of the money and bought candy for the team. In that case, I saved money out of my own pocket. Has I lost, no big deal. Just $10.00 out of my pocket to keep the team happy.
posted by jasondigitized at 5:58 PM on February 18, 2010
One way to offset your expenses is to gamble with your staff with the stipulation that all or some of the earnings have to go the food / candy / etc. pool. For example, I just bet one of my developers $10.00 that the dev. server would be in place by Friday. It went in yesterday and I won the ten bucks. I took all of the money and bought candy for the team. In that case, I saved money out of my own pocket. Has I lost, no big deal. Just $10.00 out of my pocket to keep the team happy.
posted by jasondigitized at 5:58 PM on February 18, 2010
Approximately how often would these reward days occur?
Instead of a bunch of $5-10 rewards, why not start a "tip jar"? Throw $5 per employee into the jar and keep a poster logging the sum total and the per-person total. Pay out when the total accumulates to a target level (say, $50 or $25 per person).
You can add more frequent spontaneous rewards at varying levels. (If we meet this mini goal, you'll throw in $15, or $1 per employee). (If we meet this major goal you'll throw in $10/person -- maybe for the larger contributions your co-owner(s) can chip in).
Personally I'd rather have someone hand me $50 cash on a Friday once or twice a year, than collect a bunch of $5 gift cards. It's not a big bonus but it makes for a nice occasional weekend treat.
You could also have the office vote on how to use the money, for example: 1.) Pay out when it reaches $50/person OR 2.) Keep saving to buy something big and fancy ($1000+) for the whole office.
posted by Alabaster at 6:33 PM on February 18, 2010
Instead of a bunch of $5-10 rewards, why not start a "tip jar"? Throw $5 per employee into the jar and keep a poster logging the sum total and the per-person total. Pay out when the total accumulates to a target level (say, $50 or $25 per person).
You can add more frequent spontaneous rewards at varying levels. (If we meet this mini goal, you'll throw in $15, or $1 per employee). (If we meet this major goal you'll throw in $10/person -- maybe for the larger contributions your co-owner(s) can chip in).
Personally I'd rather have someone hand me $50 cash on a Friday once or twice a year, than collect a bunch of $5 gift cards. It's not a big bonus but it makes for a nice occasional weekend treat.
You could also have the office vote on how to use the money, for example: 1.) Pay out when it reaches $50/person OR 2.) Keep saving to buy something big and fancy ($1000+) for the whole office.
posted by Alabaster at 6:33 PM on February 18, 2010
I still have some handwritten thank-you notes from an old boss of mine. It was a terrible job at a terrible company, but having a written reminder that someone appreciated my work meant a lot.
Nthing fruit and nice beverages for the break room. Make sure there's something for the folks who don't do caffeine.
posted by corey flood at 8:16 PM on February 18, 2010
Nthing fruit and nice beverages for the break room. Make sure there's something for the folks who don't do caffeine.
posted by corey flood at 8:16 PM on February 18, 2010
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posted by entropicamericana at 10:06 AM on February 18, 2010