“Viewpoint” is a new series of opinion posts from WorkSync that spotlight our take on the big ideas affecting today’s workforce and businesses.

If you think back several months, you’ll remember that March 5 was Employee Appreciation Day. Falling each year on the first Friday of March, the holiday offers an opportunity for organizations and leaders across industries to recognize their teams for their hard work and dedication. Companies’ social feeds are filled with messages of thanks and kudos, and (in normal times, at least) special events may be held or perks handed out as tokens of gratitude. Which is all wonderful!

But when you stop and think about it, why should employee appreciation be reserved for one day out of 365? And what if it meant more than simply a thank-you, a pat on the back, and maybe even a nice reward? Not that all those things don’t count — they absolutely do — but perhaps true employee appreciation has an even deeper meaning.

We would argue that showing your team real appreciation, day in and day out, involves a range of active, substantial steps that go above and beyond grateful shout-outs. First among these is engaging and empowering your employees by giving them greater independence, flexibility, and trust. Whether that means hybrid work, self-scheduling, or any number of other workplace initiatives, the ultimate goal is to place more power in their hands.

Then there’s employee wellness, which we’ve written a lot about recently. Especially after COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to support the overall well-being of your workforce. Ensuring a safe workplace; accommodating remote work; promoting financial security through offerings like wage advance; providing access to gyms, yoga studios, and health apps — these are all great ways to show your team that you care about their welfare as individuals.

Removing roadblocks matters, too. Are you creating an environment where your employees can thrive in the work they do? Are they held back by administrative burdens and cumbersome tasks, or do they have the time, energy, and encouragement to strategize, problem-solve, and innovate? You want to put your people in the best possible situation to do their very best and flourish.

Employee Appreciation Day serves as a special and valuable reminder of our teams’ talent and commitment, but let’s not stop there when we can do so much more. Through engagement and empowerment, wellness efforts, and the clearing of obstacles to success, let’s make every day a celebration of the people who fuel our organizations.

WorkSync offers leading workforce management solutions for your organization. Learn more and request a demo today at workSync.com.