This year more than ever, the burnout rate and work exhaustion for employees are at an all-time high. While it’s been business as usual in your shop for some time, team members aren’t immune to being tired and exhausted from being in the shop every day. That’s why the holiday season is a necessary time to show your team members you are thankful for them. 

It’s tempting to believe that the paycheck each employee receives every two weeks is enough “thanksgiving” for their hard work and dedication, but it is not. What’s required right now is to be intentional in your leadership by giving genuine and authentic thanks to your staff beyond their paycheck. 

What’s required right now is to be intentional in your leadership by giving genuine and authentic thanks to your staff beyond their paycheck. That’s why we’ve put together ten simple ways to offer thanks to the people you spend countless hours with each week – your shop staff. Try a few out, and let us know how it goes.

• Surprise them with a team lunch – While they are eating one of their favorite meals, ask them to share their favorite Thanksgiving tradition. You will be amazed at how much you learn.
• Write a hand-written thank you letter – Outside of cash, getting a handwritten thank you note from the boss means a lot to employees.
• Get t-shirts made that they can wear to work – People love swag, especially things they can wear to work. Get some t-shirts made with an impact saying on the chest like, “elevate the standard.”
• Stock up the kitchen with their favorite snacks and drinks – Most auto shops have their employees bring in lunch and snacks. Change the pace and stock the kitchen with snacks you know they love.  
• Bring in a massage therapist for 15-minute massages – Mechanics and front desk staff are constantly on their feet or sitting in chairs. Let them take advantage of a short massage to relieve the stress. 
• Take action for them – Look for ways your team needs assistance and jump in and help them.  
• Acknowledge a skill or trait you admire about each of your team members - Hang them up or write them somewhere in the garage to remind them you care.
• Buy a $10 Starbucks gift card or give them $20 cash for their favorite lunch. – People love food and coffee, so help them get it.
• Surprise them with a day off – It’s not easy to close a garage for a day, but it’s easy to give each person an extra day off to say thank you.
• Just say “thank you”- Sometimes, it doesn’t need to be complicated; just an authentic “thank you” from the boss means everything.

We hope this helps you find ways to share your appreciation for your team in the midst of Thanksgiving!