The day was started in 1995 by Recognition Professionals International, a nonprofit association dedicated to increasing employee recognition. It is celebrated on the first Friday in March.
But for Salt Lake City-based O.C. Tanner Co., employee appreciation doesn't come only once a year. Though many people know the company for its jewelry stores, its main business is creating employee recognition programs for other companies.
O.C. Tanner employees work with managers to help them come up with ways to honor employees for good work, but the company also likes to recognize its own employees. After participating in the group dance session on Friday, the company treated the employees to a free lunch.
"If employees feel appreciated, they are bringing their best ideas to work instead of checking in and then checking out," said David Sturt, the executive vice president of O.C. Tanner. "So often we forget to acknowledge good work, and instead we just say, 'Good job everyone, now go back to work.' "
Other companies, such as CHG Healthcare, which is headquartered in Salt Lake City, choose to honor employees on a different day. CHG designates a week in June "Employee Appreciation Week." In the past, it has given employees free massages, sponsored a health fair and had managers run errands for employees.
CHG spokeswoman Mary Biljanic said that since implementing an employee recognition program, the company has seen lower turnover rates.
Company morale is high, she said, but "it's not based on things you can offer. You can't buy your employees; it's based on trust."
Biljanic's advice for other companies: Give out cash incentives, and ask the employees what they want.
"Some of the trophies and awards aren't as popular as cash and paid time off. We are constantly surveying employees, and that's what they like best," she said.
Even if companies don't set aside a specific day to recognize employees, Sturt said it's still important that good work is appreciated.
"If someone is working hard, and they're not even getting noticed for that, it sends the message that great work isn't valued. If they do that extra work and nobody cares, they stop doing it, and we will have work cultures where being average is OK," said Sturt.
blange@sltrib.com
