Ideas to thank a group of staff?

[warp9]

We've been going through a tough time recently with poorly managed holidays, long term absences and a couple of people leaving, has left a team of 14 overstretched and feeling the pressure. I'd like to do something or make a gesture to say thank you for the hard work they have recently done.

It needs to be something that isn't going to take them off the phones and doesn't cost too much. We recently had a staff summer party, so an evening out probably isn't the right thing either.

I was thinking get a load of chocolates/croissants/pastries/fruit in or arrange for someone to come in and give everyone a 15 minute head and shoulder massage.

Any other thoughts?

[randlemarcus]

Money.

Short term, very effective

[Dr Interceptor]

Dress down day, long 2 hour lunch break where the senior management cover the phones, and order in a load of pizzas for the staff.

I do this occasionally - although without the dress down bit, we're already pretty casual!

[Mr Trophy]

Dr Interceptor said:

order in a load of pizzas for the staff.

Can I have a job?

[The Moose]

randlemarcus said:

Money.

Short term, very effective

Ultimately this is the thing that sticks in most people's minds. Hard cash.

[anonymous-user]

randlemarcus said:

Money.

Short term, very effective

And the only thing that everybody in the office will appreciate.

Though, of course, the moaners will still moan.

[warp9]

Thanks for the comments. Not a big fan of random/adhoc cash as we have bonus schemes and other incentives in place, plus it will open 'discussion' of who got what and those that are long term ill or on holiday, why didn't they get it etc. IMO it ends up posing more problems than solving. I like the idea of management doing their job for a couple of hours, but there would only be 3 people covering 14 peoples job which would be a capacity disaster plus none of us can do the job as well as the customer service staff!

Have just spoken to one of the managers and we have decided to go with buying everyone breakfast on Friday as it is already a dress down day. I think a number of small things over the next few weeks will hopefully be appreciated.
Cheers

[Dr Interceptor]

warp9 said:

plus none of us can do the job as well as the customer service staff!

Always the way!

I also pop down the local brewery (Hogs Back) and pick up a few gift boxes of beers... I keep these in reserve for random rewards.

Sell an automatic cleaner at retail money - box of beer for the staff member, that kind of thing.

[DSLiverpool]

warp9 said:

Have just spoken to one of the managers and we have decided to go with buying everyone breakfast on Friday as it is already a dress down day. I think a number of small things over the next few weeks will hopefully be appreciated.
Cheers

I do this every Friday we order in breakfast / brunch on the company and have a lunch run a few times a month but totally random so it still achieves an "up"