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1. FEATURE STORY:
EVERY DAY SHOULD BE APPRECIATION DAY!

April 25 is Administrative Professional's Day. But the next day isn't Assembly Line Worker's Day or Sales Clerk Day. Or is it? It certainly should be! Don't put off expressing your thanks to employees for everything they do until some pre-determined day on the calendar. Make every day the perfect day to show your appreciation for employees in all positions.

Expressions of appreciation don't have to be grandiose. In fact, smaller gestures that are repeated go a long way — a very long way — in creating a culture that motivates and retains employees.

Here are some easy-to-implement (and repeat) suggestions for showing employees that you don't take their efforts for granted.

• Send an e-greeting telling an employee he did a good job or that you appreciate the fact she stayed late to help a customer. A quick Google search will provide you with links to dozens of free e-greeting websites. If the employee doesn't have access to a computer, handwrite a brief note and leave it in the employee's workspace.

• Hide inspirational notes (e.g., "You can do it!" or "Thanks for all your hard work") someplace you're sure the employee will check, but that is not as conspicuous as on top of a desk, such as in a project file folder or behind the employee's safety gear. Seeing recognition where he/she least expects it will give the employee an unexpected shot of motivation.

• Make appreciation public. Hang a banner in the break room thanking employees for their dedication. Create a "kudos board" where you post customers' letters of appreciation. Set up a blank flipchart in common areas and then encourage employees to leave appreciative "graffiti" for their peers.

• Say it with candy. Leave a pack of Extra^® gum on an employee's desk along with a note that says, "Thanks for going the extra mile." Hand an employee an Almond Joy^® candy bar, and then tell her what a joy she is to work with. Even if the employee chooses not to eat the sweet treat, the gesture is what matters.

Recognition Awards

If you decide to express your employee appreciation via recognition awards, be mindful of the potential tax implications. Giving a gift card is a popular and easy way to show your appreciation. It's also completely taxable to the employee, since it has a face value.

If you're looking for a tax-free award, try:

1. De minimis fringe benefits. Awards qualify as de minimis fringe benefits and may be excluded from recipients' incomes if they are given occasionally, non-cash, and nominal in value. Examples: plaques, certificates of achievement, mentions in employee newsletters.

2. Length-of-service awards. That gold watch, for example, can be pricier, but may not be given for fewer than five years of service.

3. Safety achievement awards. These awards are tangible, but must be limited to 10% of eligible employees a year. Managers can't receive these awards.

Length-of-service and safety achievement awards come with some additional strings. First, these awards must be part of a meaningful ceremony. Meaningful is flexible. Second, the maximum that any one employee can receive tax-free depends on whether you have a written plan that doesn't discriminate in favor of upper management.

"UNUSUAL" HARASSMENT COMPLAINT REQUIRES USUAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSE

An employee in the majority — in other words, Caucasian — might have a tough time convincing you that a minority employee is harassing him/her. But the employee shouldn't have to...View the full story on our website.

FREE REPORT

Check out the Free Report, "Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Discrimination In The Workplace," which explores how both federal and state courts have ruled in such matters and includes a summary of state laws.

Kick back, relax, and take a few minutes to check out the new HR Soapbox, "Recycle Every Day, Not Just On Earth Day," in which an editor gives helpful tips for being earth-friendly in the workplace.