The nature of the modern workforce has been evolving over the past decade, as technology has enabled people to become independent contractors and gig workers.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this ongoing evolution. A June 2020 report from Upwork found 73 of hiring managers saying they plan on continuing or increasing their contract workforce.
Many companies now have contract employees as a significant section of their workforce. Although these employees are more temporary and transient than full-time employees, they are still human beings motivated by the same things as permanent employees. With the value of employee appreciation programs being widely recognized, companies need to ensure their employee appreciation programs are structured with contract workers in mind. Furthermore, the new unique nature of freelance work allows for unique ways to show appreciation.
With this in mind, consider the following ways to show appreciation to your contract employees.
INVITE THEM TO IN-PERSON EVENTS
Even though they might work with them on a daily basis, it’s easy for contract workers to feel detached from a company’s full-time employees. This can be particularly true for contract employees who work remotely.
One very effective way to strengthen interpersonal bonds is to invite contract employees to company events that include a social component. From catered lunches to annual holiday parties, these company events help people get to know one another and improve teamwork. The connections that are created and strengthened at these events can last for many years and including contract workers doesn’t have much additional cost.
SEND PERSONAL “THANK YOU” EMAILS
When it comes to communication from their client, contract employees are used to reading mass emails and group IM chats. Because of this, a personalized ‘thank you’ email truly stands out for contract employee.
Contract employees don’t get a lot of one-on-one time with supervisors and other prominent people in a contract company. This can be a very appealing part of contract work. A 2020 survey from Statistia found 66 percent of freelancers saying gave up full-time employment to be their own boss. However, this also means that contract workers have less of a sense of how they are being perceived. A thank you email can let them know they are on the right track and their work is being appreciated.
POST THEIR WORK TO SOCIAL MEDIA
While posting good work to social media is a powerful way to appreciate any type of employee, this type of recognition has added meaning for contract workers.
More so than full-time employees, contract workers are in the business of self-promotion. Posting their work to social media not only says thank you, it also shows that you support their success as a contract employee. This gesture not only shows a degree of self-confidence from the company, but it also is very generous.
WRITE A LETTER OF REFERRAL
Writing a letter of referral is another magnanimous act of appreciation for contract workers.
Contract work does not have security of full-time employment. Therefore, a letter of recommendation is worth its weight in Bitcoin. This letter can carry even more weight for its intended recipient if you are able to quantify the contract workers achievement using hard numbers, such as higher sales figures or greater efficiency.
WE CAN HELP YOUR STAFF UP YOUR MODERN WORKFORCE
At Parallel Employment Group, we work with our partner companies to develop the modern labor force that best suits their needs. If you are currently looking for contract or temporary staffing services, please contact us today.
