In these tough economic times, how can companies build employee morale without breaking the bank? Henkel, the maker of Dial® soaps, Purex® laundry detergents, and Loctite® adhesives, celebrates the anniversary of the company’s founding as a way to reward employees, foster company unity, and have fun while keeping costs to a minimum.
Every year, on or around September 26, Henkel offices and manufacturing sites around the world celebrate “Henkel Friendship Day,” which is the date the company was founded in Germany in 1876. Friendship Day is inspired by Henkel’s slogan, “A Brand Like a Friend,” and encourages employees to celebrate their successes and thank their co-workers for a job well done. In North America, each Henkel site plans its own activities based on local work schedules and needs.
This year’s celebrations included softball, volleyball, and a water balloon toss in Bridgewater, N.J.; a baby photo contest and ice cream social in Canton, Mass.; authentic German strudel, Bavarian accordion players and raffle prizes in Scottsdale, Ariz.; a pizza lunch to celebrate a safety milestone in Irvine, Calif.; and a Henkel history quiz and buffet lunch in Mississauga, Ontario.
Many Henkel offices also use Friendship Day as an opportunity to be a friend to the community and support local non-profit organizations. The Cleveland, Ohio site held a “carnival for a cure” with a dunk tank to raise money for breast cancer research. The City of Industry, Calif. site hosted a food drive and a blood drive, the Rocky Hill, Conn. headquarters ran a “Help your Neighbor” contest which resulted in donations to 41 charitable organizations, and the Warren, Mich. site used Friendship Day to launch its adopt-a-family program for the upcoming holiday season.
