When I was in high school, I had to attend this spiritual weekend retreat with my Junior class (I think it was supposed to be a bonding experience).  Anyway, throughout that weekend, there was a grossly unwarranted amount of hugging – your neighbor, yourself, the closest tree – that went on and that I was not expecting. 

Nothing against retreats – or hugging…or high schoolers – but what was already a mild aversion to embracing anyone who’s not my grandmother or someone who just gave me chocolate became a full on intolerance for touchy-feelyness in general after that weekend.  So please just take that into consideration when I show you this Incentive Magazine article I found today on ManageSmarter. 

It’s about the importance of showing your employees you appreciate them, and while it’s a little on the sappy side, you now know that I wouldn’t be sharing it unless it was worth reading…

See, the author makes a very good point: basically – if I can paraphrase – while this is the time of year employers are handing out fruit baskets and what not, those gifts all amount to a load of hooey if this is the only time your employees see such appreciation.

Not to say that every completed task warrants a new iPod, but employers should regularly find ways to recognize their employees – it’s good for morale, and honestly, is there a better time to implement this kind of “culture of recognition”?

After all, your workers are seeing their friends being laid off, and feeling the stress of heavier workloads, longer hours, and the holidays…don’t think those things aren’t having an effect on your employees – and your business, because I assure you, they are. 

So please, take a second to read and give me your thoughts.  Good, eh?  Or was my first instinct right – is it too “we are the world”-y for your workplace?  Got better suggestions…? I’d love to hear them.