In partnership with

Hello, HR Heroes! 😊 If you’re scrambling for a last-minute “We appreciate you” email and a box of donuts for Employee Appreciation Day… we need to talk. Real recognition is year-round — let’s make it a habit.

On the agenda: 

💙 Beyond One Day: Building a culture of appreciation.

🥇 Employee Recognition Kit: Awards that’ll inject humor and personality.

😲 AI Talent Premium: Report finds AI skills valued more than degrees.

THE HR SPOTLIGHT

Beyond One Day: Building a Culture of Appreciation

Happy Employee Appreciation Day! If you’re panicking to send out a quick “We love our employees!” email along with dishing out some donuts in the breakroom — that won’t cut it. Recognition needs to be baked into your culture, not just sprinkled on top once a year.

Why Appreciation Matters: A culture of appreciation leads to higher engagement, lower turnover, and stronger results. According to Gallup, employees who are regularly recognized are 3x more likely to be engaged and 59% less likely to look for another job.

Beyond Bonuses: Think appreciation means rewards? Well, not always… Research shows personalized recognition (shout-outs, growth opportunities, flexible perks) often mean more than a one-off handout or reward. Organizations integrating personalized recognition saw a 366% increase in employees' sense of fulfillment and a 2x boost in their sense of community.

Ways to Make Appreciation a Habit:

✅ Real-Time Recognition – Don’t wait for an annual review. Acknowledge good work in the moment.
✅ Peer Shoutouts – Let colleagues celebrate each other via Slack, newsletters, or virtual kudos boards.
✅ Surprise Perks – Random “thank you” days, coffee gift cards, or handwritten notes can go a long way.

So, HR pros, let’s commit to less last-minute emails, and more daily appreciation habits. Your future retention numbers will thank you. 🙌

Want to ensure your employees stick around long after Employee Appreciation Day? Read our tips on retaining your best talent:

FRIDAY’S STEAL

Make Employee Appreciation Day Unforgettable with this Kit

Looking for a fresh, fun way to share appreciation of your team’s hard work? Our Employee Appreciation Kit 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.

✅ Boosts Morale – Recognition with a touch of humor makes appreciation feel more meaningful.

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

Community promo ends March 9 — midnight EST.

TREND WATCH

AI Skills Command Greater Wage Premiums Than Degrees

HR Dive — Employers are prioritizing AI skills over traditional degrees, providing higher pay for AI expertise, according to a study by the Oxford Internet Institute. Advanced degrees still boost earnings, but companies increasingly value hands-on AI experience. Since 2018, AI job demand has surged, while degree requirements have declined.

Hire Faster with Fyxer AI

Fyxer, your AI Executive Assistant, streamlines your recruitment process:

• Tame your inbox with neatly organized emails.

• Replies to candidates tailored to your tone of voice.

• Crisp notes from every interview and meeting.

Spend less time on admin and more time finding top talent.

Start your 7-Day Free Trial today—no credit card required!

Works seamlessly with Gmail and Outlook.

Streamline your recruitment process today

📉 Jobless Claims: Blip or Trend? — Analyzing recent fluctuations in U.S. labor market unemployment numbers. [The HR Digest]

💼 USDA Automates HR Tasks — USDA's automation initiatives aim to reduce HR workload and improve efficiency. [Federal News Network]

⚖️ Two Factors Driving Gender Pay Gap — McKinsey identifies key contributors to persistent gender wage disparities. [HR Brew]

🏠 Remote Work Shields Women — Study finds remote work reduces gender bias but presents trade-offs. [HR Reporter]

✂️ Google Plans HR Job Cuts — Google to reduce positions in HR and cloud units amid expense-cutting measures. [MSN]

HR WISDOM

How to Manage Generational Differences in the Workplace

Due to people working later in their lives, and young people entering the workforce, there are more generations at work than ever before. Each generational age group is wonderfully unique, and their individual needs and wants extend to the workplace as well.

Therefore, it’s vital that managers and HR teams understand these generations, and what can be done to manage generational differences in the workplace.

WEEKLY HR GOODY

An Employee Engagement Checklist

The task to motivate and engage your employees can be overwhelming — but our Employee Engagement Checklist will make the process easier and help you determine if there are any areas that need improvement. Download your complimentary checklist and start building a more engaged workforce — it’s on the house!

BREAKROOM