Work anniversaries are similar to birthdays. It’s their one day to themselves. The next chapter of their career began as they walked through the open door into new prospects, a new team, and a new atmosphere. Each year, their dedication grows, their efforts improve, and their connections with other members of your team improve.
So, here’s the question: Do you have to celebrate every anniversary?
Our answer: Yes!
Judith Rodin, president of the Rockefeller Foundation says, “An anniversary in an opportunity not to be wasted. The pride and unity it inspires makes it an ideal time to ask people to think about why their work matters, and how it should move forward.”
Anniversaries aren’t just tired excuses for minimal recognition efforts: they’re a critical point in the employee lifecycle that allows for reflection, growth, and, yes, celebration. When done correctly, time-based recognition policies can be used to boost productivity, engagement, and, ultimately, retention—benefits that far outweigh the time and money required to implement them.
According to a Gallup report, employees who do not feel adequately recognized are twice as likely to say they will quit within the next year—and only one in every three employees strongly agreed they had received recognition for doing work in the previous seven days. Simply acknowledging someone’s efforts at work significantly boosts their motivation (and has more of an impact than compensation).
One of the most valuable advantages of celebrating an employee’s work anniversary is the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re doing the right thing.
Your employees are more than just a name on a desk. So, show them how much you value and appreciate their service to ensure they know they’re making the right decision.
Anniversary celebrations don’t have to be all-out and expensive. It doesn’t have to be a big kind of celebration. They should, however, be recognized and encouraged in addition to the yearly performance review. Recognizing the day they joined the team each year shows that you value the small victories as much as the big ones.
Here are a few ways to express your gratitude on a work anniversary:
- Bring them out to lunch with the team
- Give them a certificate or a handwritten note expressing your appreciation for them. Share something about them that you admire.
- Get them an anniversary cake
- Give them a personalized gift that will remind them how important they are to your team.
- Provide meritorious awards.
- Consider giving them a time off or a vacation.
- For those who are working remotely, you can celebrate together virtually using conferencing tools like Zoom and Skype.
There are numerous methods for recognizing, appreciating, and celebrating your employees. At Your Virtual People, we make sure our team members feel greatly appreciated on their work anniversaries. It creates a sense of belonging and growth opportunities in our work culture. Remember, the work anniversary of an employee is a time for celebration, gratitude, and looking forward to the future. Making it authentic and planning ahead on how you can show your appreciation can go a long way toward making your team feel valued and, as a result, continue to positively contribute to the success of your business.
Interested in Outsourcing and building a great team? Call us at 1300 800 965 (AU)/+1 888 488 4069 (US & Canada) or email us at [email protected]
Let’s help you gain back the time, freedom and peace of mind!
