WAYS YOU CAN SAY BRAVO! TO YOUR EMPLOYEES:

Have you ever received praise from your boss in front of a group of colleagues? Did you have a supervisor who took your team out to lunch to celebrate the completion of a big project? If so, you understand how it feels to be thanked and appreciated.

Employee recognition is a key driver of motivation and employee satisfaction in the workplace. Recognition of staff for special accomplishments, career service, retirement or other special circumstances can also enhance staff member relations and reinforce desired behaviors.

Consistent, timely, and meaningful rewards and recognition do not need to be costly or time consuming, but they should be a priority, as employee recognition is one of the leading factors contributing to employee satisfaction and motivation.

Here are some suggestions of how supervisors can show appreciation for the hard work and dedication of their employees:

• Arrange for a healthy breakfast or afternoon snacks to say thanks, we appreciate you.
• Hold a special meeting or awards ceremony to celebrate employees with 5, 10, 15, 20 or more years of service to AISD.
• Take your team out to lunch and tell them why they are appreciated.
• Organize a social outing after work hours, such as tickets to a football game or a performance at Zachary Scott Theater.
• Pick a theme for each month and do an activity with your staff that relates to it, for example, October is National Cookie Month, so deliver cookies and milk to your staff.

• Career service milestones provide an excellent opportunity to recognize and thank your staff.
• Present an appreciation gift to an employee during a one-on-one meeting and tell each individual why you appreciate them.
• Take one person to lunch each month throughout the year and talk about their goals.
• Send an employee an e-card or hand-written card with a special message about appreciation.
• Ask your employees what motivates them and then customize your recognition to match.
• Keep Bravo! cards and birthday cards handy to give out to employees when appropriate.

• Put up a welcome banner or sign at the start of the school year to welcome new employees
• Make sure new employees have office supplies ready at their desk before they get there.
• Give new employees a small welcome gift, like a coffee mug.
• Ask about your new employee's lunch plans during their first week, and make arrangements for them to go out with co-workers.
• Take a new employee on a tour of their office building or school campus.