Being Thankful for All That HR Professionals Do
Thanksgiving is a time where we take a step back from the daily hustle and bustle and reflect on the things we are grateful for. Gratitude is powerful, and you can incorporate it into all parts of your life, even in the simplest and most seemingly small things.
This Thanksgiving, we want to show our gratitude to all the HR professionals that work hard to create a positive and inclusive environment where everyone in an organization can thrive. We had the opportunity to connect with 3 of our HR Advisory members to learn more about what they’re grateful for this year.
Read more to see how these HR leaders give thanks, plus get ideas on how you can show gratitude in your workplace (and in life)!
Meet Jakob Hunt, Director of People and Culture at Orases
Q: As Thanksgiving rolls around, what are you thankful for?
A: I am incredibly thankful that my family and myself are healthy. I feel sincerely blessed to live in a beautiful place, have a stable career, and have good health.
Q: As an HR Professional, what aspect of HR are you most thankful for?
A: That I can make a difference in people’s lives. I love helping someone who is struggling to turn it around and then grow to be an even better version of themselves. The opportunity to help others is what drives me forward in my career.
Q: What are some creative ways you like to express your gratitude for your employees?
A: We do regular Appreciation Nights where team members electronically submit “gratitude” for each other. Once a month, we have a meetup (virtually now) where we each read one that was submitted. We get SO many each month, we can’t read them all anymore but the system sends out the full list within an email after, and then we play a game together or do an activity such as trivia, charades, jeopardy, etc. to just have fun with one another. We also have a dedicated Slack channel for shout-outs in the moment as well as recognizing team members in our monthly All Company meetings. Maintaining an attitude of gratitude is a huge piece of our culture here.
Meet Hilary Wong, People & Culture Manager at New Age Meats
Q: As Thanksgiving rolls around, what are you thankful for?
A: Ah I am so thankful that the US borders are back open for vaccinated UK tourists as this means my parents are able to visit for the first time in 2 years!! (As an expat I am excited to show them the Bay Area now that my wife and I are settled!)
Q: As an HR Professional, what aspect of HR are you most thankful for?
A: Being able to interact with every department! I really like supporting the company goals while being the voice for each employee.
Q: What are some creative ways you like to express your gratitude for your employees?
A: I like to show my genuine interest in their specialist areas and to learn from them. I always shout out their successes on our internal platforms and encourage Managers to do the same, so people know the great work they are doing. More generally getting our guys together for well-earned “blow off steam days”, Go Karting/ Bowling/ adventure days out to take on a hiking trail together!
Meet Heerva Macwan, HR Director at ProducePay
Q: As Thanksgiving rolls around, what are you thankful for?
A: Family, Food and Friends – in that order!
Q: As an HR Professional, what aspect of HR are you most thankful for?
A: The part where I am always learning and growing, especially when I think I completely understand something and am good at it, I find that there is a different and sometimes even better way to accomplish it! Keeps me on my toes!
Q: What are some creative ways you like to express your gratitude for your employees?
A: Feeding them! Throwing parties/celebrations and lunches is one direct way I can see the employees smiling, happy and in full open conversation! It’s something I feel I can directly create to give them a great experience whether it is a company event or a regular luncheon.
I also like to organize wellness activities – yoga, hikes, walkathons, anything to get employees excited and doing something outside of work together!
Haven’t found the right mix at this company yet but I do feel celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and milestones are also very important ways of valuing and expressing gratitude for all employees.