Database administrators (DBAs), who are the eyes and ears of the enterprise, work long hours dedicated to the smooth operation of mainframe systems applications, and ensure those applications have quick and seamless access to necessary data.

DBAs at times experience significant stress and exhaustion, and a little appreciation from co-workers and employers can go a long way.  A 2022 OnePoll survey found that nearly half of workers left their jobs because they didn’t feel that their work was appreciated. Simple tokens of appreciation and gratitude can go a long way in creating a productive and appreciative work environment for DBAs and other employees. The same 2022 poll found that 65% of workers with unappreciative bosses would remain on the job if their work was valued by co-workers.

If the data is secure and the database is operational and running smoothly, your DBA deserves a little extra love. For this year’s DBA Appreciation Day (July 7), consider these simple suggestions to get started:

1. DBAs thrive on caffeination. Buy your DBA a good coffee or two. Anything is probably better than a cup from the communal coffee machine.
2. This DBA Appreciation Day, consider delaying deployment of the troublesome application for a week, so your DBAs can enjoy their weekends.
3. No one can turn down a free meal. Treat your DBA to lunch.
4. Wait until Monday to start a migration so your DBAs don’t have to work over the weekend to bring the database back up and running.
5. When you talk to your DBA, avoid assumptions, and provide as much detail as you can. (e.g., don’t just say, “Hey, I think the database is broken.”)
6. Offer your DBAs something sweet, like cookies, cake, or even ice cream.
7. You are more capable than you think! Try to figure out what is wrong with the database yourself before running to your DBA for each small problem you encounter.
8. Remember that you can use Google to get a lot of good answers; search there first before asking your DBA for assistance.
9. Let your DBA lock their office doors so they can avoid unnecessary interruptions.
10. The promise of a future shopping spree can be incredibly motivating for a DBA. Drop a gift card on your DBA’s desk.
11. Simply say, “Thank you,” because DBAs rarely hear about their good work, even when the database keeps running without a hitch.

Take a moment to thank your DBA, and don’t forget about your system administrator on System Administrator Appreciation Day on July 28.