thanksgiving at work: a survival guide for hr 🦃

because managing holiday celebrations shouldn't give you heartburn 🍽️

November 25, 2024

In partnership with

Happy Thanksgiving week to all our US readers!

I know a lot of you wil have just 3 or 4 days this week to cram everything in, so we’ll get straight into it.

🧠Today’s HR brain boosting topic is giving thanks in the workplace. This will hopefully spark some ideas for businesses and teams all over the world!

In Today’s Edition

😊 Why Workplace Gratitude Matters (More Than Ever)


🛋️ The Break Room: workplace gratitue programs: yay or nay?


📚 Human Readsources: Federal overtime rule struck down, Leaders express gratitude for teams and innovation., Job interview success hinges on one simple question.


There’s a lot to juggle in just 3 days this week!

Season 7 Nbc GIF by The Office

Let's be real - planning holiday celebrations at work is like walking a tightrope while juggling flaming turkeys.


Between managing remote workers, respecting cultural differences, and keeping things professional (but fun!), it's enough to give any HR pro indigestion.


We've got your back with practical tips, templates, and sanity-saving strategies to make this year's workplace Thanksgiving actually something to be grateful for.


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🌟 Why Workplace Gratitude Matters Now (More Than Ever)


Genuine appreciation just hits different. Between quiet quitting, burnout, and the ever-present challenge of keeping teams connected, showing authentic gratitude has become more than just a nice-to-have - it's a crucial retention tool.


And with the holiday season imminently approaching, HR pros are looking for ways to make workplace thanksgiving actually meaningful.


According to research from Workhuman, companies that build a culture of recognition see 31% lower voluntary turnover. And it's not about grand gestures or forced festivities.


The most successful workplace celebrations combine structured recognition with organic moments of appreciation, especially for hybrid and remote teams who might be missing those genuine connections.


The secret (apple) sauce? Keep it flexible and inclusive.


Mix traditional activities like gratitude walls with modern approaches like digital recognition platforms. Skip the mandatory fun (nobody wants another awkward Zoom party) and focus on creating spaces where appreciation can flow naturally.


Whether it's through team awards, peer recognition programs, or simple thank-you notes, the goal is to make gratitude feel authentic, not obligatory.


🔗 Relevant links

👀 TLDR

Workplace gratitude is a powerful retention tool in increasingly disconnected teams and workforces. It can even reduce turnover by 31%. Skip the forced fun and focus on creating authentic appreciation opportunities that work for both in-person and remote teams.

⚡ Takeaway and Try

  1. 🎯 Create a "Gratitude Roulette" - randomly pair team members each week to share one specific thing they appreciate about each other's work

  2. 📝 Start your next team meeting with a 2-minute "appreciation round" where everyone shares a quick win or thank you to a colleague

  3. 🌟 Launch a "Recognition Repository" Slack channel where team members can drop screenshots of positive client feedback or peer kudos. Feel free to give it a catchier name: this writer is running low on coffee!

  4. 🎨 Set up a virtual or physical "Wall of Wins" where employees can post colorful sticky notes highlighting colleagues' contributions

  5. 🤝 Try the "Three Things Thursday" challenge - ask team members to share three specific things they're grateful for about their workplace each week


📚 Human Readsources

🏢 Federal Judge Strikes Down 2024 Overtime Rule (HR Dive) - Federal overtime rule struck down, reverting threshold to $35,568.


⚖️ CEOs Share What They're Most Grateful For (Inc.) - Business leaders express gratitude for employees, innovation, and personal support.


📊 Job Interview Question That Makes or Breaks Candidates (HR News) - Job interview success hinges on explaining career move motives effectively.


Thanks for reading to the end and we hope today’s edition sparked some new ideas!

We know you’re super busy and really appreciate the little corner of your inbox you let us into 3 times a week. 😀

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