October is Employee Ownership Month. What are companies doing Employee Ownership Month? One company raises money for the Employee Ownership Foundation by having a rummage sale and silent auction. They also have an annual slogan contest. Another company has fun with educational events, including sports day with ESOP cryptogram, P.J./Goodies day with an ESOP crossword, hat day with bowling, and western day with owner name scramble. They also have an ESOP basics presentation and a costume. As we discussed last week, this company treats employees to gift card raffles, lunch and food treats such as soft pretzel day.

A common theme amongst the various celebrations is free food. You cannot go wrong by providing your employees with a free meal. In addition to providing them with a relatively inexpensive reward, it also provides an opportunity for the team to gather and socialize.

Another thing to do is to enter the Employee Ownership Month Poster Contest. Last year’s Employee Ownership Month Poster Contest Winner “was selected because of the idea it expressed: We’re All In This Together. The poster design features a woman holding a nametag that reads, “Hello – I’m an employee owner too!” and will be used by the Association to promote employee ownership month, which takes place every October, and is a celebration of the incredible spirit of employee ownership.”

Employee Ownership Month helps reinforce your employee ownership culture. Here is an example of a very satisfied employee.