The Business of Child Nutrition | January 2024

Say Thank You Communicating

Appreciation In The Workplace

Communicating appreciation in the workplace is such an underrated, yet easy way to improve workplace morale and productivity all around. Let me ask you this - How often is your hard work overlooked? When was the last time your busyness was ever given a thank you? Do you ever feel taken for granted in the workplace? ICYMI: Employee engagement, trust in organizations, and employee wellbeing declined in the U.S. in 2022 ( Gallup, April 2022 ). And as we navigate inflation, layoffs, and social/political turmoil in 2024, I would imagine the workforce at large is battling constant turmoil both inside and outside the workplace. When everything around us feels out of our control — demanding community members, long hours, tough schedules — We can control how we treat other people. And that matters a whole lot when it comes to collaborating with others at your place of work.

Sending a note of appreciation isn’t just for the coworker or teacher who’s love language is ‘words of affirmation’. Taking the time out of your day to send a kind email, leave a voicemail or give someone kudos at the end of a workday is crucial for collaboration and engagement. I don’t have all the answers but I wholeheartedly believe that within all the chaos of our busy jobs, it matters when we treat the people we work with, with respect and appreciation. These individuals, afterall, have the most impact on our success, productivity, and mental well-being in the workplace. We never know what people are going through. We don’t know the type of morning someone had before they started work. And we don’t know what they are going home to after 5pm. But we can control how we treat other people. And if we are spending long hours on a weekly basis with our coworkers, we sure better know how to communicate with civility and respect so we can make all our jobs a little more bearable.

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