Thanksgiving has come and gone, but don’t save your all your gratitude for next year’s holiday!  Whether you’ve just landed a job through a recruitment firm, or if you have been in your career field for years, a major problem in many workplaces, and a hinder to communication and collaboration, is that many feel they are underappreciated. According to a survey on workplace gratitude, a whopping 60% of people don’t express thankfulness to their coworkers on a regular basis. Could this be one of the factors in the growing rates of employee dissatisfaction, especially in the US?

It may just be. So this new year, resolve to show gratitude more frequently! You may just receive some, yourself.

Here are some ideas on how you can go about showing gratitude more often at work:

• A simple “thank-you” does the trick. If you’re in an environment where expressing gratitude isn’t the norm, try simply thanking your colleagues and/or boss when they help you. This can be anything as simple as copying something for you or as big as helping you finish a pressing project on time. Whatever the case, make sure that person knows you appreciate their help.
• Be thoughtful. If you’re an employer, whether you represent full-time or temporary staffing, consider shooting out an email for employees’ birthdays, anniversaries, and the like—maybe even buy them a cupcake or something small to show you value them. If you’re an employee, be sure to remember these dates and wish your coworkers a happy one when they arrive. Even better, add a personal touch and sign a hand-written note!
• Take advantage of meetings. Whether they’re one-on-one with your boss or a group effort with the team, meetings almost always harbor opportunities to let others know how much you appreciate their hard work. Something as simple as saying “I just want to thank you for this opportunity/promotion/etc. I really feel I’m growing here” to your boss or complimenting a coworker’s presentation can make a huge difference in morale and all-around mood.
• Mix up public and private gratitude. Try not to pigeonhole yourself into only expressing thanks in private or when others are watching. Each have their pros and cons. So just express it when you feel it, and it will be taken seriously and appreciated!
• Be conscious of balance. There are certain professionals who often hear mostly negative feedback as a result of their positions—for example, Human Resources employees. If you catch yourself only interacting with certain people to complain or report problems, make an effort to reach out and balance that out with a thank-you and some positive conversation when possible.

Of course, given the sometimes complex nature of business relationships, even gratitude must be handled carefully.  You may be in full-time or temporary staffing opportunity, regardless, many people may refrain from offering it simply out of fear that they will come across as looking for brownie points—and, unfortunately, this is an understandable fear. Therefore, be wary of being overeager when expressing your thankfulness and don’t overdo it. Sometimes, a simple “thank you” will suffice, while other times something more might be necessary. Use your own judgment and avoid doing or saying anything you feel naturally uncomfortable with, and you’ll be well on your way to showing sincere gratitude at work. Who knows, you may just encourage others to do the same!