| Make the Most of Your HR Month! | |
Part 1: Rewards and Recognition
|
Susan M. Heathfield
Looking for ways to shine the positive spotlight on your Human Resources programs, processes, and people? January is Human Resources month, a great chance to highlight the contributions you make and to honor the people who make them. Rewards and recognition for Human Resources staff set the stage for another terrific HR year.
Strategically, Human Resources month is an opportunity to expand your good will and public relations efforts within your organization. You can showcase your contributions while seeking the input and feedback you need to effectively serve your customers. You might want to schedule these activities later in the month, when recent holiday celebrations are memories.
With these multiple purposes in mind, consider these opportunities.
Recognize Human Resources Staff
- Initiate an annual breakfast or lunch to honor and
reward HR staff members. This is an organization’s way to say “thank you” for
all of your hard work and contributions. This is most effective when hosted by
senior executive management. (Don’t be proud, by the way, if you are the senior
HR staffer; let executive leadership know this opportunity to recognize you and
your staff exists! Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn; let executives know
which contributions to recognize and celebrate.)
- Hold an internal HR celebration that provides a chance
for each person to highlight the contribution they made this year. Provide
recognition certificates to each person and individual achievement letters in
their personnel files. Absolutely, provide food and chocolate. This event is an
opportunity for fun and sharing within your group. Ask a small team of people
to design a fun event.
- Develop an annual HR report that highlights
accomplishments and contributions. Circulate the report to all staff. If you
have developed your vision, mission, values, and goals, share their
accomplishment in this annual report.
- Highlight HR programs and processes in the employee
newsletter. Or, provide the same information on your organization Intranet.
Send an email to all staff that emphasizes progress in HR programs, benefits,
and contributions. Make these informative so staff members learn more about the
HR function at the same time.
Initiate Greater Interaction With Your Organization
- Hold an HR open house that provides fun opportunities
for staff to learn about and participate in HR processes. Use the event to
kick-off a daily or weekly lunch time walking program that provides
certificates for achievement. (See side bar.) Initiate a weight loss program that features supportive group goals.
(See side bar.) Draw names of attendees for various prizes to encourage
attendance. Use the open house to educate staff about new or changing benefits
and HR services such as coaching. Absolutely, serve food and chocolate.
- Develop and implement a customer survey to see how
you’re doing in the eyes of the people you serve. Ask for ideas about what
would make the HR function more useful and appreciated. Ask what services would
enhance your contribution. Use email to distribute the survey when possible; be
sure to include a paper and pencil option for people without email.
Next page > Part 2: Get in Touch With Your Customer! > Page 1 2
