Hello, HR Cupids! This Valentine’s, let’s spread a lil’ workplace love — not just chocolates, but real appreciation! A simple “thank you” can go a long way to boosting engagement more than even roses ever could…

On the agenda: 

💘 Employee V-Day Appreciation: The power of small gestures:

🔀 Disney’s DEI Shake-Up: Policy change or rebrand — reports.

🤩 Appreciation Bundle: A fun way to recognize your team.

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SPOTLIGHT

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance and isn’t just for couples — it’s also a time to show appreciation for your employees! A simple “thank you” or gesture of appreciation can go a long way in boosting morale, engagement, and retention. In fact, almost half (46%) of workers say they have left a job because they felt unappreciated — Bonusly.

Why It Matters: Feeling valued at work isn’t just nice — it’s essential. Employees who feel appreciated are more productive, more loyal, and more engaged. An honest and strong culture of recognition leads to higher job satisfaction and even lower employee turnover.

The Power of Small Gestures: You don’t need a huge budget to make a big impact either. Thoughtful, genuine recognition creates a positive ripple effect across your entire workforce and beyond — enhancing your employer branding. Whether it’s a personal shoutout, a small token of gratitude, or a moment of celebration, showing appreciation fuels motivation.

Want easy, effective ways to make employees feel valued? Learn how to put a smile on their faces in this guide:

FRIDAY’S STEAL

Sweet & Simple: A Fun Way to Recognize Your Team

Looking for a fresh, fun way to share appreciation of your team’s hard work this V-Day? Our Employee Appreciation Awards bundle will inject humor and personality into your recognition efforts.

Why your team will love it:

✅ Unique & Fun – Highlight quirks, talents, and contributions with awards like “Coffee Connoisseur” or “Office DJ.”

✅ Fully Customizable – Easily personalize each award with names and special messages.

✅ Instantly Downloadable & Print-Ready – No hassle, just heartfelt moments of celebration.

Make your next round of recognition truly unforgettable with this Employee Appreciation Awards bundle pack:

Ends February 16 — midnight EST.

NEWS THAT MATTERS

1️⃣ Disney’s DEI Shift: Policy Change or Rebrand? — Did Disney abandon DEI — or just the terminology? A closer look at the real impact. [HR Grapevine]

2️⃣ Chevron to Cut 20% of Workforce — Major workforce changes loom as Chevron restructures. What does this mean for employees? [PT]

3️⃣ Indonesia Explores 4-Day Workweek for Balance — Could Indonesia’s state-owned firms pioneer a shorter workweek? [CNA]

4️⃣ Worker Sues Over Leave Return Demands — A wrongful dismissal case raises key HR questions on employee rights. [CHRR]

5️⃣ Unproductive Meta Staff to be Let Go — A memo from Meta has been leaked, outlining an algorithm for deciding employee dismissals. [devUA]

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HR WISDOM

25 Awesome Team-Building Activities Your Team will Love

At the risk of sounding overly cliché, teamwork does make the dream work. Indeed, a team that shares a common goal and is actively working towards achieving it is bound to succeed. But for this to happen, members of your team must first establish a strong bond that will allow them to work effectively as a collective.

By investing time into team building, employees can improve communication, collaboration and problem-solving skills, but can also create more meaningful connections with one another. Ultimately, team building is an integral process for every organization and can play a key role in its overall results, with HR departments and managers often organizing such events.

WEEKLY FREEBIE

A Feedback Form to Enhance Employee Experience

Gathering feedback from your team members is an excellent way to make improvements that matter. The more you invest in understanding your employees’ needs and opinions, the more you can retain your strongest assets and attract more talent. Grab this downloadable and printable Employee Feedback doc — it’s on the house!

BREAKROOM