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2 min read

When you think of the holiday season, what comes to mind? Festive lights, family time … making your list (and checking it twice?). 

Or is it: Looming 2020 deadlines, never ending (expensive!) requests from your (or other’s) children and finding excuses to skip at least some holiday parties? 

The holidays can be both a time of fun and stress.

And while many employers try to alleviate that stressful time of year with over-the-top holiday parties or treats in the office, there’s more that they can do to really give a gift worth giving to their employees.

Recent research has revealed that the modern workforce would prefer to forego traditional workplace perks, such as an expensive holiday party or even a bonus in favour of more consistent reward and recognition ideas throughout the year. 

So if your to-do list includes finding lots of gifts for the whole family, it makes sense that your employees are likely stressing about their finances this season as well.

And though 65% of HR Managers acknowledge that financial stress may be at an all time high, less than half of them are doing anything about it. 

That’s where the typical holiday bonus seems like the perfect solution. But if you’re second guessing, asking yourself should you give your employees a holiday bonus or have other expensive initiatives in play, then we have some recent research that can help with your decisions. 

Turns out, the best gift you can give your employees is listening to what they really want. In our latest survey of 1,400 employees in the UK, U.S. and Australia, 65 percent of those surveyed say their employers could do more to understand what would be most helpful to them during the holiday season. Luckily, we’ve done some of the leg work for you. 

Our recent holiday bonus survey revealed that employees across all generations prioritise flexibility, collaboration and purpose, and more frequent rewards. 

Take a look at the research: 

holiday-bonus-for-employees-statistics

Instead of an impersonal party that your employees may not even want to go to, why not give them what they truly need this holiday: More frequent rewards, flexible time off to destress and valuable savings to help with holiday shopping?

If you’re interested in learning more, reach out to one of my colleagues for a chat:

Talk to an Engagement Consultant »

Alexandra Powell

Alexandra Powell, Director of Client Cultural Insights, not only knows American Sign Language, but uses it to secretly communicate with her husband and kids at parties. Alex is a highly experienced employee engagement consultant, trainer and speaker. For over 20 years she has helped HR and business leaders implement strategies that drive true culture change.

Director of Client Cultural Insights

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