Employee appreciation day is coming up on March 7, 2025, and while free lunch and thank-you emails are nice, real appreciation goes beyond a single day. Employees want to feel valued all year long, in ways that actually improve their lives, at work and at home.
Traditional benefits like PTO and health care are great–essential even–but they don’t help much when employees are scrambling for reliable child care, worrying about aging parents, or struggling to find time for personal responsibilities. The companies that prioritize real support, especially when it comes to care, see stronger retention, engagement, and productivity.
So, how can you show appreciation in a way that truly resonates?
1. Recognize contributions in a personal, authentic way
A generic thank-you message doesn’t go far. Employees want to feel seen and valued for their unique contributions. Consider:
- Public recognition in team meetings or company-wide emails
- Handwritten notes from leadership
- Spotlight features on company intranet or social channels
Taking it a step further, many companies are providing benefits that help employees feel recognized not just as workers, but as people. A Care Spending Account, for example, gives employees flexible financial support for the care expenses that matter most to them, whether that’s child care, senior care, or even just self care.
2. Offer a benefit that makes life easier
Instead of another branded travel mug, think about a benefit that actually makes employees’ day-to-day lives easier. Care benefits, like Backup Care and On-Demand Tutoring, give employees the kind of support that helps them stay present and focused at work.
When employees aren’t worrying about a last-minute child care cancellation or an aging parent’s care, they’re more productive, engaged, and less likely to leave. That’s why:
- 87% of employers say Care benefits have improved employee productivity
- 81% of employees say Care benefits has improved their productivity
3. Give the gift of time
One of the best ways to show appreciation? Giving employees time back. Whether that’s an extra day off, early dismissal, or more flexibility in their schedules, employees value control over their time more than ever.
For employees juggling caregiving responsibilities, having access to Care Specialists, who can help them navigate challenges like child care options, senior care planning, and college admissions, can also make a huge difference in reclaiming time. Care Specialists help your people handle life’s big dilemmas and the small time-consuming tasks like booking an appointment or researching gluten-free bakeries.
In fact, an employee saves 19 hours on average when using a Care Specialist.
4. Support employees beyond the workplace
Most employees are balancing work with life outside the office. If you want appreciation to feel meaningful, focus on the benefits that support them in both spaces. Care benefits, lactation support, and financial wellness programs are all ways to show you value employees as whole people, not just as workers.
5. Keep appreciation going year-round
Employee appreciation day is a great reminder to celebrate your team, but the best workplaces build a culture of recognition, care, and support into their everyday operations. That’s what truly makes employees feel valued, and keeps them engaged long-term.
Want to explore ways to build a culture of care? Reach out to our benefits experts now.
