Everyone celebrates different types of anniversaries throughout their lives to remind themselves of how far they’ve come and how much they’ve done. It instills a heightened sense of excitement and reverence for the occasion. Because everyone spends so much of their lives at work, this should also apply to professional milestones.
Finding proper workers may be a challenging endeavor for businesses, but employee retention is far more difficult. Regardless of the obstacles, if you have a dedicated team, it is time to give back. Years of service awards are a great way to recognize the devotion and loyalty of those who have been with the company for an extended period. It is an employee appreciation approach that involves celebrating workplace milestones or years of service.
You can show appreciation through various types of amazing work anniversary gifts, which demonstrate to employees that they are more than just a cog in the machine. They are viewed as individuals with the human urge to be loved and respected. These gifts could be anything, from personalized gifts, bonus payments, and increased salaries to office upgrades for special recognitions.
Here are five tips on how to make your employees feel happier by initiating years of service awards program at your company, preferably as part of a larger recognition program.
Personalized gifts
Employers can get to know their employees on a more personal level by awarding them personalized company gifts. This opens the door to better employer-employee interactions. Consider giving them a coffee mug or a shirt with their name on it as a present.
If you opt for a luxurious gift, then go for a customized wristwatch or an expensive bottle of wine with glasses. Another option is to allow your employee to choose their gift. For example, they can choose gadgets, work-from-home products, sports equipment, etc. Whatever approach you decide to go with, make sure it suits your employees’ taste instead of yours.
Opportunities for training and development
While money and stability are important, the majority of people want a chance to advance in their careers. According to statistics, 87% of millennials say that training and development at the workplace is essential. Making learning opportunities available to them shows that the company cares about their development as well. So, you can pay for a certification course or training session for your ‘employee of the month’ to give them a proper chance to advance in their careers. You should also consider allowing them to pursue their favorite interests.
Bonuses
Bonuses are an excellent method to show appreciation for your employees’ exemplary years of service. However, giving only money may seem like a straightforward gift, so you can combine it with other forms of appreciation, such as a ‘thank you’ note or a trophy. Just make sure to include a sizable and memorable sum. For example, as a bonus for 10 years of service, you may offer 20-40% of a worker’s income.
Promotions
Promoting deserving employees after a certain number of working years will make them feel appreciated for their efforts. Promotions are an effective approach to encourage other employees to give excellent service at work. You can promote your employees and give them senior status, which includes benefits such as a special title, membership in a group of other tenured employees, a higher salary, a trip, and chances to work and lead their own projects.
Office upgrades
Employees value their workspace. A paid office renovation is an excellent method to recognize employees who have worked hard and dedicated their time to the company. You can either surprise employees with an office upgrade or allow them to collaborate with an interior office designer on a defined budget. However, be sure that any changes adhere to corporate regulations.
For example, instruct employees on how to select wall paint that complements the organization’s theme. Then, you can include the purchase of new office plants, redesign the office furniture, purchase a new computer, and change the lighting in the office. All of these will make them feel appreciated and motivate them to work even harder in the future.
Final thoughts
Employee appreciation entails more than just saying ‘good job’ to an employee and then moving forward. Years of service recognition should be meaningful, enjoyable, and unforgettable. Employee efforts, triumphs, and company values should all be rewarded. Years of service awards, when done correctly, provide employees with a sense of belonging in an organization and increase morale. So, to retain your employees, make sure the years of service awards recognize employees’ contributions and foster an emotional bond between them and the company.
