10 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Work Anniversaries + A Case Study

 

 

Written by: Amanda Pegoli – Design Posse Crew

Employee Engagement Company Culture

A work anniversary is a significant milestone and like we’ve written about before, it’s super important to celebrate them the right way. Because when we talk about celebrating work anniversaries, we’re talking about more than just a number!

After all, every new year with a great team member isn’t just another tally in their records—it’s an achievement that should be celebrated with purpose. They’ve built relationships, accomplished goals, and made an impact on your company, all things that should be celebrated.

You can start with creative employee rewards, but there are so many other options out there beyond handing out plaques or paperweights. Ultimately, on a team member’s work anniversary, you should be showcasing the immense impact their work has made on an organization. Recognizing their efforts makes them feel seen and appreciated, increasing their likelihood of being engaged with their future work.

Remember, you want ideas that really show the recipient that they’re valued at their workplace. Let’s make it memorable! 🎉

1. Handwritten notes

In this technology-driven age, it’s rare that people sit down to thoughtfully pen their sentiments. That’s why an old-fashioned, handwritten note can be so meaningful to its recipient. The milestone of a work anniversary is the perfect opportunity to gather the team together to express their gratitude in writing.

In a world where so much communication is merely utilitarian, these simple acts of investment, remembrance, gratitude, and appreciation can show the people who matter to your life and business that they are important to you. 
John Coleman, HBR

Plus, there’s just something tangible about appreciation in writing. For remote workers, there can be the additional joy of letters in the mailbox! Plus, the recipient can put these notes up in their workspace as a reminder of their hard work—a great pick-me-up for a rainy day. 📝

2. Public recognition

This one takes personal notes a step further. Don’t underestimate the power of public recognition, and since work anniversaries are such an important epiphany moment, this is a great time to truly broadcast someone’s accomplishments in a year.

Here at Design Posse, we (of course) create a new Special garment for Anniversaries and even Birthday’s of our staff. This recognizes the work done by a Team Member and its really important to most staff. And when presenting an item, its a reminder so the rest of us pile on to mention achievements, special moments, inside jokes, and more.

Even if you’re not utilizing TShirts or other Corporate apparel, public recognition can easily be done through email or even as a special shout-out during an all-hands meeting (we know one company that even plasters a wall full of post-it notes for the person being celebrated!). In addition to honouring a well-deserving employee, making recognition a regular practice at your organization can increase employee engagement levels by nearly 60%.

3. Decision-making power

This can go a number of ways! For someone’s work anniversary, you could let them hold the power over the day’s lunch selection; a new piece of art at the office; the design for company swag; an addition to the company’s employee handbook; the possibilities are endless!

Allowing someone a special chance to make their mark on the day—or more permanently on the company—is a meaningful gift that conveys their importance to the organization at large.

4. Time off

Time is a valuable commodity, which makes a day off a great reward for those who have reached their work anniversary. It gives an employee an unexpected break from their day-to-day, which is sometimes all someone needs to come back refreshed and ready to do great work.

If you can’t swing letting them have a full day off, consider late arrivals and early releases, too.

5. Career-planning session

Like we’ve said before, work anniversaries are an important epiphany moment, meaning that it’s an occasion where employees assess their goals and whether they’re happy in their position. That makes a holding an intensive career-planning session a natural fit for this milestone, and shows employees that their company is invested in their future and success.

6. Paid sabbatical

Of the organizations listed, Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2012, 25% offer paid sabbaticals.

Coincidence? Nah.

Paid sabbaticals are great for attracting talented employees, but they’re also a great benefit for retaining those employees. Reserve this special perk for employees that have been at your company for five years or longer, since sabbaticals are an opportunity for them to take a step away and come back refreshed.

The way most folks get a nice, long break from work is they leave their job and then scratch their itch and find a new job. [Sabbaticals] give people a break and something new without losing them for good.
–Brendan McGovern, MeetUp CFO and cofounder

Aside from giving an employee a fresh perspective, a decline in stress, and better overall well-being, sabbaticals or extended leaves also impact the company as a whole: researchers found that when well-seasoned team members take time off, the circumstance gives aspiring leaders a chance to grow and results in better collaboration once the sabbatical is over.

7. Charitable donation

Donating to a non-profit organization in an employee’s name communicates that their personal values matter to their company, and it makes a real impact to those in need!

8. Break into the archives

Whether it’s an employee’s first work anniversary or 10th, chances are they—and the company—have changed a lot! Look back at your old chat logs, emails, and files to create a collection of old memories. This can spark some quality team bonding, sentimental conversation, and blackmail opportunities. 😏

Bonus points if you can scrounge up some company swag that was made in the year an employee joined, and even more bonus points if it features a horribly outdated logo. 😂

9. Custom swag

Instead of looking back, create something new to truly distinguish a long-tenured employee! Fun t-shirts, pins, and patches are all great mementos and a visual indicator to other team members that they should be giving their congratulations. LightMoves, a Design Posse customer, goes as far as ordering a custom jersey with an employee’s last name and what number employee they came in at for their work anniversary!

Or even take it a step further and be like SnackNation by ordering a custom fat head to truly celebrate a team member’s place in the company.

10. Special treats

We saved the best for last. Honestly, everybody appreciates a free lunch, happy hour, or their favourite dessert. Let them choose their treat of choice, or surprise them!

Whether it’s donuts, a sundae bar, or even a bucket of chicken fingers (you always have that one team member…), it’s a thoughtful gesture that shows the company cares. Plus, it’s a moment when everybody gets to take a break, celebrate their fellow team member, and enjoy. 🍰🍦🍩

X. Need more ideas? We’ve got plenty! Here are a few that don’t need much explanation:

  • Have storytime! Ask the person celebrating their anniversary what their favourite moments were, funniest stories, low lows and high highs, etc. (also a great team bonding and culture-sharing opportunity!)
  • Host a long-distance lunch gathering, with remote employees enjoying their lunches together through their screens
  • Tie balloons to an employee (or more realistically, their desk 😉) with the number of balloons corresponding to their years of tenure, or with a literal balloon shaped like a number!
  • Fly in remote team members for a mini-getaway and a chance to celebrate in-person!
  • Feature employee work anniversaries someplace visible, like on a special wall in your office, on a screen in a public gathering place like the kitchen, or even on your website
  • Offer a remote/work-from-home day
  • Designate a VIP parking spot to them for the day
  • Schedule a lunch with the leadership, and use it as an opportunity to gather feedback
  • Ask teammates for peer recognition, and format it in a special way, like in an animated video, mug, or framed print
  • Organize a coordinated round of applause or shout-out during an all-hands meeting (works for video conference meetings, too!
  • Decorate their desks
  • Social media shout-out
  • Create a post-it wall of appreciation from colleagues
  • Give them a shout-out in the company newsletter
  • Send a care package with their favourite goodies

The goal is always to celebrate the impact an employee’s had on their workplace, but it’s also important that they feel recognized all year long. 

So get in touch with the posse today and lets chat through some ideas !

Custom Quote Request Form

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Add to cart
[]