Who Created Employee Appreciation Day?
Dr. Bob Nelson created Employee Appreciation Day in collaboration with his publishing company, Workman Publishing. The first Employee Appreciation Day, on March 3, 1995, was celebrated to promote Nelson’s new book, 1,001 Ways to Reward Employees, on acknowledging employee behaviors.
Even a small gift can go a long way toward making employees feel appreciated and valued. Whenever possible, personalize the gift and even add a handwritten note of appreciation.
Nelson was a founding member of Recognition Professionals International and did his doctoral research on why managers do - or do not - recognize their employees. He has worked with thousands of companies to help create cultures of recognition in an effort to improve employee retention, increase productivity, and attract top talent.
Dr. Nelson has sold over two million copies of his book, which was revised in 2012 to be 1,501 Ways to Reward Employees. It has been translated into 25 languages. Today, companies around the world continue celebrating Employee Appreciation Day.