Time for HR to encourage more random acts of kindness?

Time for HR to encourage more random acts of kindness? In summary:

Random Acts of Kindness create the perfect opportunity for HR teams to spread a little positivity throughout the workplace. This can be done through activities such as:

• The importance of HR professionals leading by example and implementing small, consistent acts of kindness to foster a positive workplace culture.
• Various simple initiatives such as creating a ‘Kindness Wall’, organising ‘Kindness Challenges’, and incorporating kindness into employee recognition programmes can encourage the creation of a kinder workplace.
• Recognising the importance of self-kindness, along with providing access to mental health resources to support employees’ wellbeing, are also vital in creating healthier work environments.

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Is it just us, or does the world feel a little bit… off lately?

There’s been a whirlwind of major world events: some of them positive, some of them not so much. It feels like every time you refresh the news, there’s something new to process. Some of it heavy, some of it just plain bizarre, and some of it which makes you wonder if you accidentally stepped into an alternate reality!

Of course, there’s very little any of us can do to impact what’s happening on a global scale. But a little closer to home and especially in the workplace, we can all make a real positive difference – and that’s where Random Acts of Kindness come in.

Random Acts of Kindness Week (February 9th–15th) and Random Acts of Kindness Day (February 17th) both serve as reminders of the power of simple, thoughtful gestures. And, given how we’re all living through quite turbulent times, a little kindness can certainly go a long way in lifting spirits, strengthening connections, and reminding us that even small actions can make a big difference.

In the workplace setting, kindness isn’t just about feel-good moments. In fact, the effects can be deeper and much longer lasting. It can strengthen relationships, boosts morale, and helps contribute to a more engaged and motivated workforce.

For HR professionals, the event presents an excellent opportunity to encourage acts of kindness that align with company values and enhance workplace cultures.

So, what can you do as an HR professional, to actively promote kindness and inspire employees to take part? Here’s some suggestions to make kindness the norm in your workplace…

1. Lead by example: HR as the Kindness Champions

As we all know, HR teams are the custodians of company cultures. And, whilst a company’s leaders will ultimately set the tone, people professionals are the ones who bring that culture to life, nurture it, and ensure it aligns with the company’s values. So, leading by example is essential – and that goes for encouraging kindness.

Consider implementing small, consistent acts of kindness to spread positive vibes throughout your organisation, such as:

• Sending personalised ‘thank you’ messages to employees who’ve excelled.
• Highlighting team members’ achievements in company meetings or newsletters.
• Providing small tokens of appreciation, such as a cup of coffee or simple handwritten notes.

By demonstrating kindness first-hand, you can inspire employees to follow suit, creating a ripple effect throughout the organisation. And the best part? It doesn’t have to cost the earth, either!

2. Create a ‘kindness wall’ or virtual board

A ‘kindness wall’ – whether physical or digital – gives employees a space to recognise their colleagues’ acts of kindness. This could be a shared online document, a channel on MS Teams, or a dedicated space (such as a notice board) in a shared workspace where employees can post messages of gratitude and appreciation.

Here at Cezanne, we use Kudos – a peer-to-peer recognition platform built-in to the Cezanne HRIS. It allows anyone (at any time) to highlight the great work of a team or individual in the business, and also give thanks to those who’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Encouraging employees to recognise their peers not only promotes random acts of kindness, but also strengthens workplace relationships and boosts team morale.

3. Organise ‘Kindness Challenges’

You can make kindness fun and engaging by launching kindness challenges in your business. For example, set up simple activities where your people are encouraged to complete a certain number of acts of kindness within a timeframe, such as:

• Writing an uplifting message for a colleague,
• Buying coffee for a teammate,
• Complimenting a co-worker’s work,
• Leaving a positive recommendation for a colleague on their LinkedIn profile.

You can even introduce a small incentive, such as a raffle draw for those who participate, to add an extra layer of excitement. What have you got to lose?

4. Incorporate kindness into employee recognition programmes

Many forward-thinking organisations have employee recognition programmes that celebrate work and achievements. But how often do they celebrate kindness specifically?

So, why not introduce  a ‘Kindness Champion’ award where employees can nominate colleagues who go above and beyond to create a positive workplace environment? This simple addition reinforces the notion that kindness is valued and encouraged in your business. In turn, it will help foster a culture where employees feel appreciated and motivated year-round.

5. Encourage volunteer initiatives

Encouraging acts of kindness doesn’t have to be limited to the workplace! If you’re looking to make a real impact with your Corporate & Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts this year, why not organise volunteering opportunities or allow employees to take part in company-sponsored community service? You could consider:

• Partnering with local charities for donation drives,
• Offering paid volunteer days for employees,
• Hosting a team event where employees can contribute to a cause, such as assembling care packages for homeless shelters or food banks.

These types of activities can be brilliant for the wider community, strengthen team bonds, and provide your employees with a sense of purpose and fulfilment. Pretty much a win-win for everyone involved!

6. Promote small, everyday random acts of kindness

Not all random acts of kindness need to be grand gestures. You can encourage employees to practice small, everyday acts that may feel insignificant on their own, but can all contribute towards a more positive and connected workplace culture. Things like:

• Holding the door open for someone,
• Helping a colleague with a task or project,
• Offering a friendly greeting in the morning,
• Checking in on teammates who’ve ben under pressure (especially if they’re predominantly off-site or remotely based).

Sometimes, these little moments are the ones that have the greatest impact on workplace culture!

7. Leverage social media and internal communications

Use internal newsletters, your shared workspaces, HR portals and social media to spread the message about Random Acts of Kindness. Share inspiring stories, ideas, and examples of employees embracing kindness… basically, anything that can make people feel good.

You could even consider creating a company-wide kindness hashtag where employees can share their acts of kindness and inspire others. This not only promotes engagement but also builds a sense of community within your organisation.

8. Use random acts of kindness to support positive wellbeing

Being kind to others is a huge part of what makes cultures successful. But self-kindness is just as important and supports positive mental wellbeing. When people are encouraged to treat themselves with the same patience and compassion they offer to others, they build personal resilience, reduce stress, and maintain a healthier work-life balance – and who wouldn’t want all that?

Encouraging regular breaks to recharge, emphasising the importance of work-life balance and providing access to mental health resources are just some of the ways you can promote self-kindness. After all, when people feel supported, they’re more likely to extend that kindness to others, creating a healthier and more positive work environment for everyone.

… And don’t forget to keep the momentum going beyond February!

Yup, while Random Acts of Kindness is a great starting point, you should aim to embed kindness into your company’s everyday workplace culture. As a custodian of your company’s culture, look to encourage the leaders in your organisation to promote kindness year-round. You could even integrate acts of kindness into your onboarding activities; setting the standard right from the get go for your new hires.

Kindness should be more than a one-day event – it should be part of your company’s DNA. So, what will you be doing to make life in your workplace that little bit kinder?