In today’s work climate, employee appreciation is often seen as a want rather than a need. Instead of prioritizing recognition in the workplace, it’s often pushed aside and drowned out among all the daily tasks and priorities of a hustling and bustling business. But here’s the thing – employee appreciation is much more than a want. Data has shown time and time again that it’s absolutely essential for a thriving culture that produces incredible results.

We’re just two weeks away from Employee Appreciation Day (March 3)! AHHH. We’re excited and hope you are too, but we know some of you out there are stressed out rather than excited. We’re looking at you, procrastinators! Don’t worry though because we’ve been there and done that, and we know that you ~thrive~ under pressure.

According to a recent study by Zippia, a whopping 89% of workers have experienced burnout within the past year. That is INSANE, but not surprising. While we all get integrated into the hustle and bustle of American work culture, feeling stressed and overwhelmed is honestly just a norm. The problem? It shouldn’t be.

In the world of HR and new hires, orientation and onboarding are two words that are often used synonymously. I mean, both are focused on welcoming new employees and setting them up for success, right? So it’s not surprising that the two get mixed up. But here’s the thing: While both onboarding and orientation have a similar overall goal, they are absolutely not the same. They are, however, both absolutely essential when getting brand-new hires ready for their brand-new roles.

At the workplace, employee appreciation comes in many shapes and sizes. This is something all managers need to keep in mind, but especially new managers who are leading a team for the first time. While learning the flow of things, getting to know your employees, and basically figuring out the lay of the land, you also need to be thinking about fostering an engaged and positive work culture.