Employee appreciation is paramount in creating and nurturing a positive and productive place of work and a little can go a long way when it comes to showing your staff that you care. We’re not saying that you have to throw an appreciation party every day of the week but letting your staff know that they and the work they’re doing, is appreciated, can provide a harmonious, productive workplace - the dream - we know!

Feedback is a simple but effective way of showing your staff that you care. Acknowledge the good work your staff do - we’re not saying that you have to shout it from the rooftops every minute of every day but a simple “job well done” or “thank you, I appreciate that” could actually go a long way in helping your staff feel as though they’re valued and appreciated. In turn, they’ll be happier and more productive during their time in work, what more could you want? On the flip side, if staff are not performing to the best of their ability, constructive feedback and direction can help them to improve in certain areas. When approached in the right way, this can motivate them and show them that you care enough and you want them to do well - adding to their sense of purpose at work.

Celebrate the little, and big things, in your colleagues lives whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or any kind of milestone - it’s nice to be nice! A coffee or cake morning for a staff members birthday can get the day off to a great start, boost staff morale around the practice and can add to their sense of belonging in the workplace. Similarly, some staff members might be studying or sitting exams and to celebrate their successes, is another way to show them that you care about their personal and professional development in the practice. A post on your Facebook page to congratulate a student nurse who passed her exams or even a signed card and a box of chocolates, is a lovely way of showing recognition and that you’re proud and you care.

Finally, as the saying goes; you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours!

If you look after your staff, they’ll look after you. Putting an incentive in place, not that you need to, (it’s still nice to do) can further drive staff to perform to the best of their abilities. Let's say for example, if you are selling health plans in your practice, you might set your staff a target to sell 20 plans per week. If they achieve this, you might treat them to pizza for lunch on the Friday or following Monday when everyone is in. Change this to a monthly target and the reward might be staff drinks at the end of the month - on the house of course!

You get where we’re going with this. Small incentives like these can have such a positive impact on your staff’s attitudes and just bring about an enjoyable atmosphere at work. As you can see, there are plenty of ways you can show your staff you care - a little goes a long way, why not start today!