December is traditionally a month for celebration for both companies and employees, winding down for a well-deserved break. There are usually company year-end parties as well as Christmas celebrations together. Companies also tend to announce bonuses for the year during this period.
Employees also use this month – coinciding with school holidays – to clear leaves and to go on vacation. The real treat is spending quality time with their families and re-energising for another challenging year ahead.
2021 Is Very Different To Other Years
This year, many businesses may not be in a position to celebrate 2021. COVID-19 has had an immense impact on companies’ revenues and bottomlines. The festive mood may also be dampened by retrenchments and pay cuts. Following the government’s move to not pay the civil service any bonuses this year, many companies have also followed suit.
Read Also: COVID-19 Impact: 5 Reasons More Companies May Shut Down In The Coming Months
Morale may also be low with the worries about the new Omicron variant and how the pandemic will continue to affect businesses and personal lives.
At the same time, employees may be more drained and stressed than in previous years.
Companies Can Still Reward Their Employees
Despite the downturn and tightening of budgets company-wide, it doesn’t mean that businesses cannot do anything extra for their employees. Without having to spend a lot of money, you can still be creative and think about what your employees will appreciate most.
Here are 4 ideas to reward your employees for their hard work in 2021.
#1 Sending Personalised Care Packages
Sending your coffee-lovers a gourmet coffee pack, your gym rats some clean and healthy snacks and your sweet-toothed employees award-winning chocolates or bakery treats can make all the difference.
A care package does not come with a big price tag, typically in the range of $50. Nevertheless, it can be meaningful to employees if it is well-thought-through and fits their personality.
Personalised care packages let employees know that you notice them as individuals. This personal touch can forge better rapport with your team.
Read Also: 8 Uniquely Singapore Care Packages Companies Can Send To Employees And Clients
#2 Paying For Activities On Their Time Off
There weren’t many opportunities for employees to go on holiday this year. Coupled with a more flexible work-from-home arrangement, this likely means they’re left with many more annual leaves this year.
Read Also: Should You Allow Employees To Encash Their Remaining Annual Leaves This Year?
They’re also unlikely to take many annual leaves in December. Border restrictions are still in place, while they may be under pressure to perform in their roles as job security becomes a priority. This may not be healthy as every employee needs a break and employers should encourage them to spend time with their loved ones.
Finally, purse strings may be tighter as employees stash more away in savings in case of a rainy day or have family members let go because of the COVID-19-led downturn.
You can get creative by allocating a small budget to pay for activities that your employees can do on a leave day. Paying for their staycation gives them the “travel” vibes; family outings allow them to enjoy quality time with loved ones, and a massage gives their body the pampering they may crave for.
Read Also: 3 Ways To Encourage Your Employees To Take Their Annual Leaves For A Well-Deserved Break
#3 Home Office Equipment
While many businesses and employees may have thought things would normalise by the end of the year, we’re far from it. One of the major shifts is likely to be ongoing work-from-home practices – whether COVID-19 comes under control or not.
With more time going to be spent working-from-home in 2021, giving your employees a budget for home office equipment can be very useful. It doesn’t just allow them to become more productive with the appropriate equipment but may boost their health with an ergonomic chair, an adjustable desk, a larger screen or a laptop stand.
Read Also: COVID-19 Has Changed Conversations In The Office This Year-End
#4 Digital Retreats
It’s been a long and challenging year in 2020, as businesses and employees were weighed down have had to put in extra hours and hard work to see it through. At the same time, companies cannot go on team retreats anymore – the solution might be a digital retreat.
While not as fun and wholesome as an overseas company trip, it still serves its purpose to bring teams together and build team-bonding.
There are fun team building activities such as a virtual escape room that virtually everyone can participate in. Depending on your teams’ demographics, personalised virtual experiences such as an online gaming session, learning to cook dumplings, workout session or going on a virtual holiday can be fun and enriching.
Read Also: Why Virtual Escape Rooms Can Be A Fun Team-Building Activity While Working From Home
Employee appreciation can go a long way towards boosting team morale and fostering health team dynamics. After the difficult year in 2021, every employee will need a pick-me-up and businesses need to be able to motivate their teams.
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