You might send a holiday card to your parents, siblings, and even the mailman, but what about the people you see every weekday? Should you send a holiday message to your employees? And if so, what should it say?
Feelings of uncertainty around personal messages in a professional environment are normal. How should you word your message? How much detail should it have? Are there faux pas surrounding particular holidays you may celebrate but your colleagues don’t? These are all fair questions.
But generally speaking, holiday wishes are considerate and can offer a great morale boost for those you work with.
Work and holidays do mix, if handled with care. Let’s delve into why it’s worth taking the time to get a little personal with your colleagues and employees.
Holidays probably put spring in your step. When you walk around the office excited to celebrate, your joyful mood might be infectious to those around you.
Harness this energy in that happy holiday message to your team. Passing the holiday spirit to your team members doesn’t just make people smile — it influences their productivity and how feel about their workplace. Recognizing your staff is one employee engagement tool that’s completely free.
And it’s important. A recent study found that only 15% of employees think their workplace is highly engaged. When not even a quarter of employees feel engaged at work, it’s a problem.
There are, of course, actions you can take to address this. Research has found a link between connection and recognition in the workplace. Lack of recognition damages the feeling of connection between managers, employees, and the organization itself.
Applauding workers for their achievements or the work they perform strengthens this sense of engagement and connection within an organization. Making your reports understand you value their work is a surefire way to boost their productivity and mood.
But it’s not all about work. Sending off a more personal message around the holidays is another way to make employees feel recognized. It’s shows that you’re thinking about them even outside the office. And it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Thanking them for a great year could subtly boost to employee incentive and motivation around the office.
Are you in need of some inspiration for your holiday card messages? We have you covered with employee appreciation ideas to incorporate into your notes. Often, just a sentence or two will do the trick. You don’t have to spend hours coming up with the perfect message. It’s the thought that counts, as they say.
Before we get into the messages, a word on inclusivity: you can, and should, tailor these messages to your employees so that they don’t feel left out if they celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or other holidays. Don’t send holiday greetings that say “Merry Christmas!” and leave it at that — not everyone celebrates Christmas, and it’s important to acknowledge that.
You don’t have to spend hours writing paragraphs for each employee to convey your warmest wishes. As long as your words are meaningful, a sentence or two will do the trick.
Here are 15 holiday messages to staff samples for some inspiration:
When someone says “Happy holidays,” what time of the year do you think of? Your answer is probably around December, but there are various important cultural dates all year.
That’s why it’s vital to send holiday messages throughout the year rather than in the winter. You don’t need to save your happy holiday wishes for employees until the end of the year — spread some joy year-round.
Greetings and well-wishes extend to most holidays and celebrations. Your employees might appreciate a nice message or greeting card for:
Aside from holidays, birthdays, work anniversaries, or other notable personal days are a nice time to make employees feel appreciated. People take notice when you spend the time sending personalized messages to celebrate big days, whether work-related, personal, or holidays.
Expressing gratitude for your employees never gets old. Your warm wishes go a long way and add a special touch to any holiday by making your staff feel appreciated. Personalized holiday messages to employees show them you care about them not just as workers but as people.
Though it might be the most wonderful time of year for you, it’s important to remember that not everyone is in the mood to celebrate. Some people experience grief during the holidays, making it a sad and stressful time. Heading into the holidays could go hand in hand with the holiday blues, holiday stress, or depression.
While many hide it well, this could be a difficult time they’re having trouble coping with.
Here are five causes of the holiday blues to be aware of:
While you may not be able to provide the support and comfort your employees need, a work holiday message that thoughtfully acknowledges the holiday blues and links to helpful resources can go a long way.
Don’t forget to be respectful, show your appreciation, and send your warmest wishes to your employees. Kind words at any time of year are always a wonderful gift.
Understand Yourself Better:
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Understand Yourself Better:
Big 5 Personality Test
Learn how to leverage your natural strengths to determine your next steps and meet your goals faster. Take quiz
