p16qeog3ae5un1psh18g46n01b2nb.jpg
When we polled the LinkedIn Accounting group members about their favorite busy season activities, many chimed in with specifics. Their preferred ways to unwind included everything from food to foot rubs. Here’s a selection of some of our favorites.
p16qenvujt16kg14421c9tl4mq8c5.jpg
Mid Adult Woman Eating Bacon Sandwich

Free Food

Free team lunches and dinners ranked highest on our LinkedIn poll, with food-related incentives like restaurant gift cards and fresh fruit in the office popular options. But our favorite culinary response came from trainee accountant Rebecca Granthan: “An unexpected round of bacon sandwiches at 10am :-).”
p16qeop6q3dthqcs1v0o19hv1k148.JPG
23B

Employee Recognition

Awards for employees—whether as “silent heroes” or high performers—are also well-received busy-season motivators. Prizes for these distinctions include spa packages and event tickets.
p16qeor5sprcb16to1m851obdvg7d.jpg

Performance Perks

Other employee rewards for tax-season performance were more down-and-dirty. Human resources professional Ryan Allen’s firm has a range of perks for its “fish bowl” prizes: “Things like housecleaning, auto detailing, date night on the company, lawn service, and the services of a handyman.”
p16qeoojnf2mhs891ebe1m1616o26.jpg
Businessmen celebrating their success in the game of table soccer

Fun and Games

Accountants love their foosball, according to our poll response. Many LinkedIn members mentioned office tournaments as a great morale booster.
p16qeo1f821dma1cn6qpb38eba57.jpg
Businessman receiving a back massage

Rest and Relaxation

When the work gets too busy to redeem spa coupons, firms bring relaxation into the office. Group members find chair massages to be effective stress relievers.
p16qeooh521fhq19nj1gg11pi1t025.jpg
© 1997-2005 Stockdiscª All rights reserved Contact: Stockdiscª Freephone Ireland 1800 70 80 90 United Kingdom 0800 404 9624 United States 1866 951 2888 France 0800 905 706 United States Phone 011 353 66 7145002 Fax 011 353 66 7127088 International Phone ++353 66 7145002 Fax ++353 66 7127088 Web http://www.stockdisc.com email info@stockdisc.com This image may only be used by a licensed user, it may not be reproduced without licensing the appropriate Stockdiscª high resolution CD or image. License available at http://www.stockdisc.com. If you have any questions regarding the terms of the license, contact Stockdiscª before use.

Task Takeover

Sometimes little tasks are the most appreciated. HR professional Ryan Allen commented, “I do a weekly Wal-Mart run where anyone on the staff who needs anything (groceries, gifts, etc.) can give me the list and I'll do the shopping for them since the last thing they want to do during their time not spent at work is go to the grocery store.”
p16qeo15v7tp3mss1q751jb4ltr6.jpg
Hedgehog

Animal Therapy

Accounting services manager Roxanne Greene’s firm took advantage of one quiet morning to engage in some monkey business, bringing in The Wildlife Company to do a presentation with exotic animals: “We got to interact with a bunch of animals, including a hedgehog, a tegu, a coatimundi and a capuchin monkey. Afterwards we all sat down to Greek food and talked about our kids, grandkids, and anything but work.”
MORE FROM ACCOUNTING TODAY