I know of one surefire to make all my employees happy, and it’s really quite simple. Who doesn’t love a good plate of baked goods or anything homemade? Every year around Thanksgiving, the Corban OneSource office is filled with warm, Thanksgiving aromas that will take you right back to your family’s Thanksgiving when you were a kid. Each employee brings in a dish, and we all sit around, enjoying each other’s food and company. This has become one of the beloved traditions in our workplace.  I would not be surprised if one of the pictures went viral as an office party meme

Food.

office party meme
Traditions in the workplace are an important part of what sets your company a part from others. Your company’s brand is what draws in new talent, keeps your current talent, and makes you special. The better and more differential your workplace traditions are will also increase your employee engagement. The positives are endless.

SHRM blogger Mary Kaylor states “Your workplace is like an employee’s home away from home. Much like in your own family, the workforce needs traditions to create a sense of belonging, an identity and an anchor.”

Current employee engagement statistics are at a new low. With so many distractions or other issues employees face, many companies are struggling with creating a sense of employee engagement and questioning how to raise the bar.

Each celebration doesn’t have to be elaborate. It doesn’t have to be incredibly expensive either. Sometimes, it’s the little weekly things that people will remember and cherish the most. On the other hand, the holiday season is quickly approaching, so consider some different ways you can celebrate with your employees. Sometimes, the more outrageous, weird, or fun the idea is, the better.  I would certainly challenge people to think about what are some unique things you can do that nobody else is doing…Being creative and innovative, flexible, and not so stoic with policies and procedure, thinking about rewards and recognitions, and service anniversaries. I think that’s where it’s at today.

Bringing the joy of traditions to the workplace has the potential to make long-lasting memories, office jokes, and an office party meme with your employees. And remember, hardly anyone ever says no to food, especially baked goods.

Corban OneSource is a Mid-Market Human Resources Outsourcer or HRO for companies of 75 to 6,000 employees. Are you looking to outsource the core HR functions of Payroll, Benefits Administration and HR Support? Find out more here.