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How To Create a Successful Employee-Appreciation Event
Liability ultimately resides with the host of the event. To avoid problems, wheelchair requirements should be checked, as should proximity to medical facilities. Is anyone on the staff trained in CPR?
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Business New Haven
11/22/1999
By: Priscilla Searles
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Management-run employee-appreciation events are an effective way to thank staff for their hard work and dedication. But if poorly planned, they can backfire. Employees have families, and including them in a family outing makes the whole family feel appreciated by the company.
Where to start? A committee, consisting of people with personnel skills, should be appointed to study all options and find an appropriate event site whose staff will work closely with the company and help get the ball rolling. Keep mind that the committee is functioning during working hours, taking them away from their regular job tasks. A professional party coordinator can be a good investment.
Setting the objectives of the event is the first major decision. What are you trying to accomplish? Employee-appreciation events should be planned with the employee in mind, not what the CEO likes to do in his spare time. Set the date and time and develop a list of prospective attendees.
Having a theme may be the next consideration (it certainly helps when planning decorations and entertainment). But if it is a family event, be careful that the theme and entertainment are family-friendly. Make a list of all the elements that are needed - invitations, directions, any props, special vendors - and don't forget the budget.
The better locations for special events are trained to lend assistance and guidance. Many will provide you with a list of things that need to be attended to, and can often provide accessories like centerpieces or decorations. They will also help you plan a menu that has appeal for a family event and stays within your budget.
Planning the right activities for a family day is critical. A variety of activities are needed to appeal to a wide range of tastes if children are to be included. Picking the proper location for such an event is probably the must important decision. Make sure you study your options and pick one that will give you the assistance, and the flexibility, you will need.
One creative idea for an employee-appreciation day that includes families is to have a product display. Often workers' families don't see the products up close; an exhibit helps them to appreciate and understand what the company - and their loved one - is doing.
Liability ultimately resides with the host of the event. To avoid problems, wheelchair requirements should be checked, as should proximity to medical facilities. Is anyone on the staff trained in CPR? Is their a first-aid station or ambulance with crew readily available? Companies should notify their attorney and insurance agent when having an event off company grounds; additional coverage may be necessary.
The presence of alcohol is a major consideration; the host is responsible for taking precautions to prevent a tragedy. Some possible safeguards? Provide rides. Have committee members designated as drivers. Provide a place to “sleep it off,” or call a cab. To avoid problems, shorten the cocktail hour, make sure there is plenty of food available, have professional bartenders and make sure that an ounce-measure is used. Close the bar an hour before the event closes, and serve food and coffee toward the end of the evening. Also, having self-serve water, soda and ice stations allows people to freshen their drinks without adding more alcohol.
Many events now limit the bar to beer and wine. Another option is to give each guest drink tickets. Many events now have a cash bar for hard liquor, with complimentary wine and beer. Most importantly, the committee should work closely with the management and bar staff to head off problems before they occur. If children are included, make sure the bar is not self-service. Establish soda stations for young people.
Last, if the purpose of event is employee appreciation, make sure management shows up to give a thank-you to each employee and her family.
Your employees will appreciate it.
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