Work comes with its fair share of challenges. Completing a year of service is a significant achievement, and recognition and appreciation are needed if anyone achieves such a milestone. Discover some creative workaversary ideas to make the occasion memorable.
Recognising your employees’ workaversaries helps boost their morale and bring job satisfaction. Photo: FG Trade (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Employees are the backbone of the company, making things happen day in and day out. They are fully responsible for the company’s success or failure. Therefore, it is essential for you as a boss to appreciate their efforts and commitments, which will boost their morale and job satisfaction. One of the best ways is to recognise their workaversaries.
What is a workaversary?
A workaversary is the anniversary of the date an employee started working for a company. It can also be termed as a service anniversary or an employment anniversary. It’s equivalent to a birthday, where employees mark another year of professional growth, hard work, and achievements.
How to celebrate workaversary
Read also
15 fun Office Olympics games ideas: how to throw the ultimate Office Olympics
Celebrating work anniversaries offers an excellent opportunity to acknowledge your employees’ efforts, dedication, and milestones. Below are ways to celebrate a workaversary.
1. Letter of appreciation
Sending an appreciation message via a letter to your employee on the job’s anniversary gives them a feeling of contentment and a renewed zeal to give their best in the coming year of work. A well-written letter of appreciation thanking them for their hard work and loyalty to the company will make them feel their effort does not go unnoticed.
2. Recognise their achievements
Workaversaries are ideal opportunities to acknowledge employees’ accomplishments. Make them aware of how their contributions brought positive change to the company and how they have positively impacted others.
3. Highlight their value to the company
Show them that you understand how they uphold and embody the company’s values. Let them know that their efforts to build a robust corporate culture have led to the company’s success.
Read also
25 engaging improv games that put the whole team on the same page
4. Record the event
Plan how the event will be recorded. You can assign a colleague to photograph or record the event. You can also request that their colleagues write short congratulations messages on the cards to be presented on the fateful day.
5. Plan an anniversary party
A group of people celebrating one of them with family, friends and colleagues. Photo: @ Thomas Barwick
Source: Getty Images
Organise a well-planned work anniversary party for them. You can set that day purposely for the party or have the work day end early and start the party. It will make them feel special when celebrated alongside their other team members.
Make the day memorable by incorporating a personalised cocktail set, customised employee gifts, a custom cake or cupcakes with their face on it, or playing a trivia game based on them.
5. Send them a commemorative video
Sending a commemorative video to your employees during their work anniversary is a unique and thoughtful idea. Request everyone in the company who works with them to record a short and quick video about their favourite experience working with the employee.
Read also
12+ virtual scavenger hunt ideas: how to plan the ultimate virtual scavenger hunt
You can also request some of the clients or vendors. Cut the video together, upload it online on the employee anniversary day, and send them the video link.
6. Choose the right awards
Consider unique awards since this is an extraordinary achievement rather than an everyday award. When choosing the exemplary award, you can do it based on the years the person has served in the company. The reward should reflect their seniority.
7. Award them a long vacation
A vacation will do them good and help them relax their minds. You could take them to a country they have always wanted to visit for two weeks or a month.
Memorable work anniversary gift ideas
Work anniversaries are essential in employee retention, satisfaction, company culture, and other aspects of a business. They also provide a great opportunity to honour past achievements, celebrate the present, and shape the future. Here are some unique ways to celebrate workaversaries.
Read also
40+ fun party games for large groups of 20 or more people
1. Send them a bouquet of flowers
A female employee excited as she receives a card and a bouquet of flowers. Photo: Catherine Falls Commercial
Source: Getty Images
You can never go wrong with a lovely bouquet. Flowers symbolise love and great friendship, helping one express one’s deepest sentiments. Remember to include a personal note with a thank-you message to express gratitude for their commitment to work.
2. Customised company swag
A customised company swag is an excellent employee anniversary gift for a well-done job. This company’s swag includes hoodies, T-shirts, jackets, backpacks, mugs, and stationery. You can have the items printed with their names and the company’s logo. It will give your employees a sense of belonging and unity while promoting your brand.
3. E-gift cards
Technology is advancing daily, and even companies have embraced the changes it brings. In the early days, paychecks and gift cards were sent in a sealed envelope. However, sending an E-gift to your employees on their job anniversary is now convenient.
Read also
What is an industry plant? Definition and examples of artists who’ve been accused
An E-gift card is a unique gift, allowing recipients to choose their favourite gift. The recipient can shop online, book movies or tickets, or travel.
4. A home office makeover
If you have remote employees, a home office makeover is the best gift during their work anniversary. Make them a home office that will make working from home exciting. You can buy them a new desk or computer and decorate their office space. This gesture will inspire them to work harder.
An employee being celebrated by his colleagues during his work anniversary. Photo: FG Trade (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images5. Pay for an online course for them
Make your employees’ work anniversary memorable by offering to pay for an online course so they can learn new skills. The course does not necessarily have to be work-related. It can be on self-development or mindfulness at work, which will make them realise that you care about their well-being on a personal level.
6. Executive dinner
Food is another personal gift, especially when you know the person’s favourite cuisine. Book a table for your employee in an up-class restaurant. They will feel valued and appreciated, fostering a positive attitude towards their work in the coming year.
Read also
Fun sleepover ideas for teens for an unforgettable night with your friends
7. Primo parking
The VIP parking spots are mainly for the bosses. These parking spots are special in that they may be in prime locations with minimal steps to the entrance or covered to protect the vehicles from extreme conditions. You can treat your employees on this special day by allowing them to park in the best parking spot for a day or a week starting on their work anniversary.
Underground parking for VIP. Photo:ViktorCap (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images8. Give them a bonus
Giving your employees extra cash as a bonus on a work anniversary is a great idea. The bonus will boost their salary in that month. If the employee is an event planner, field marketer, or occasionally travels for work, increasing their per diem can work magic for them. It will show they are in your thoughts and you care about them.
9. Send them a work-from-home care package
This gift idea is ideal for a remote employee. Send them a work-from-home care package such as a home fitness kit, SPA kit, safety kit, and Netflix and chill kit. It will give them a sense of belonging and make them feel appreciated, cherished, and celebrated even when disconnected from the office.
Read also
20 retirement party ideas for a memorable send-off in 2024
10. Charitable donations
If your employees like helping others, consider donating in their name to the charity of their choice. It will be a commemorating gift for them and, at the same time, will help many in the process.
11. Homemade cookies
Homemade cookies are unique, and you cannot go wrong with this. As the saying goes, ‘the way to a man’s heart is through the stomach’. Pack the cookies nicely and accompany them with a gourmet soup and an appreciation note.
Is it workiversary or workaversary?
Is a work anniversary called a workiversary? Workiversary and workaversary are terms spelled differently when combined with the words work and anniversary. However, the two have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.
Another year of work must not be taken for granted. Appreciate your workers on their workaversary and let them feel recognised and loved. Whether small or big, every good gesture will significantly boost their morale and foster a positive work environment.
Read also
How to throw a good surprise party: your perfect guide
Henzodaily.ng published an article on Valentine’s gift ideas for him to show that you care. Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to express your caring attitude to your significant other. Men are also not exempt from receiving gifts from their partners.
Valentine’s Day excites many, especially those who are in romantic relationships. Couples show their love for one another by exchanging cards, gifts, and romantic messages. If you are wondering about the best gift for your husband or boyfriend, read the post to discover several of the best Valentine’s gift ideas for him.
Source: Henzodaily.ng