January 11

Offer karate classes so your employees can learn self-defense, improve coordination, flexibility, and self-awareness, while staying physically fit.

February 16

Throw a "Thank Goodness It’s Friday" party. The price of admission is "one idea, frivolous or serious, to make the company a more fun place to work." Suggestions are submitted in advance and shared at the party.

March 18

Provide space for a company-sponsored rummage sale on a Saturday. Open to the public, the event gives employees a chance to sell unwanted items as well as shop the bargains offered by their co-workers.

April 7

Hold an "internal job fair" for your current employees. Interview applicants to fill vacant positions just as you do when hiring from outside your organization. This could be a half-day event or last several days, depending upon the number of vacancies and number of interested employees.

May 13

Implement a 24-hour voice mail hotline to let employees ask questions, complain, share concerns and ideas.

June 16

For a break in the middle of the day, have employees divide into two teams. Give each team 100 Ping-Pong balls. They have three minutes to toss the balls at the other team. The team with the fewest number of balls on their side when time is up wins.

July 22

In one community, the employees held fundraisers to raise money so they could buy and donate a horse to their local police department who uses it for patrolling at the mall on weekends and during special events. Thereafter, every year, the employees throw a birthday party for the horse.

August 5

One department manager gave each of his employees rosecolored glasses to help them look at failures and mistakes as learning experiences.

September 14

Build a brick walkway on company property where each employee has his or her name. Update it as more people are hired and stay with you for a specific period of time.

October 10

Offer telecommuting. However, it needs a formal, written policy and support from upper management to make the difference between a commitment to working out the kinks or a transfer back to the office.

November 24

Start a "100 Club." "100" stands for the number of points an employee must have to become a member of the Club. They earn points for attendance, punctuality, no lost time accidents, achieving production goals, and accuracy. Once a Club member, employees can earn and redeem points for gift items.

December 12

Surprise your employees with a holiday coupon. On it write, "Good For" and include things such as lunch with the supervisor, one-half day off with pay, a free tank of gas or whatever your employees might enjoy.