Earlier this year, we welcomed nine new customers. As we launched their programs, we simultaneously refreshed and improved the programs of 25 other customers. Let’s just say that’s a huge amount of work! To make it happen, we recruited 30 volunteers from other departments to pause their own work and dive in to help our Customer Success team. Over 5,000 hours of work later and 1 million user lives touched, we survived the busy season.
To support all LimeMates’ well-being during the busy season, our People Team (Human Resources) organized a “Refresh Yourself” campaign, which included company-sponsored meals, puzzle & coloring stations, massages, guided yoga & meditation and more.
Part of our commitment to the Limeade culture of improvement means understanding what is and isn’t working, so the People Team sent out a survey to collect employee feedback about the campaign. Take a look at our key learnings — we hope they give you ideas on how to best take care of your employees.
7 do’s and don’ts of caring for your employees
1. Don’t underestimate the value in showing your employees you care
This note from a LimeMate shines a light on the value of showing employees you care: “The emphasis alone, of supporting my well-being, helped me refresh because I felt the company cared.” We can’t help but include some stats to back this lesson up: When employees believe employers care about their health and well-being, they’re 38 percent more engaged and 18 percent more likely to go the extra mile for the organization.
2. Do host activities that bring the company together
LimeMates loved the activities that brought everyone together — such as weekly breakfasts and happy hours. We also hosted weekly meditation, yoga and dance sessions. We saw okay attendance, but next time we’ll add them to the last 10 minutes of company meetings for a wider reach.
3. Don’t replace existing things
During the busy season, we converted one of our conferences into a “quiet room” — a device-free, silent room for employees to take a break. Although some employees enjoyed the space, we learned the loss of one conference room was more of a disruption than a benefit. We found that if employees wanted quiet time, they preferred to go downstairs to our lobby or go on a walk.
4. Do give employees back time
LimeMates rated the most valuable benefits as those that saved them time from things they regularly did. The most appreciated? The bigger variety of healthy snacks at the office they gave employees a much needed energy boost while working long hours.
5. Don’t implement things that require extra time
What we thought would be helpful to employees, such as the drawing and coloring stations, actually distracted LimeMates from work. Employees found it hard to “make time” in their already full schedules to take advantage of these benefits. The one exception? Massages. Employees loved that we brought in a masseuse for free chair massages, even if it meant losing 15 minutes of their time.
6. Do schedule activities during work hours — but rotate the day and time
The weekly after-work happy hours and Friday breakfasts were a favorite — to those who could attend. We learned that many employees couldn’t make the happy hours because they were outside work hours, and other employees couldn’t make the breakfasts because they conflicted with commute or work time. Next time, we’ll mix up the days and times we host events to ensure all employees get a chance to attend.
7. Don’t forget about remote employees
Remote LimeMates felt the love when we sent care packages directly to their homes. These employees told us the gesture reminded them to take breaks — and not just sit in their home office working the entire day. They received goodies like a hand sanitizer, candles and chocolate. Their favorite? The scalp massager.