Employee Appreciation Day - EXPANSION!

When you flip the calendar or your online version this Friday, the first one in March, it should show up stating it is Employee Appreciation Day.

For trivia buffs, this day first appeared on the calendars back in 1995. Bob Nelson, then one of Recognition Professionals International’s (formerly National Association for Employee Recognition) founding Board members, apparently created Employee Appreciation Day as a way of focusing the attention of all employers in all industries to employee recognition. It is always the first Friday in March.

It’s a good reminder.

Now consider this reality.

Nearly nine in 10 organizations reported having recognition programs in place according to a WorldatWork study. Sounds pretty impressive, doesn’t it?

What? I know what you are thinking. You’re not feeling very recognized are you? Neither were 65 percent of 4 million workers surveyed once by the Gallup Organization. These folks said they received no recognition on the job the previous year.

No wonder we need an Employee Appreciation Day!! Over 2.5 million people in the U.S. reported not ONE act of acknowledgement, praise, appreciation, recognition, award or reward the year they were asked about recognition.

I think it is time we expand the awareness from one day, don't you?

Let’s be audacious, bold, and daring. Let’s mark down on every single day on our calendar – 365 days of the year (366 on Leap Years!) – Employee Appreciation Day. Remind yourself each and every day to stop and recognize at LEAST one employee or co-worker, for their example and contributions. Even thank your boss!

Here are some Top 10 Idea Provokers for Employee Appreciation Day for you to practice.