Why Celebrating Work Anniversaries Matters

Miranda Lloyd, in a 2023 feature for Kudo Board, writes that when an organization demonstrates that it values important and small moments in its employees’ lives, it will find its employees more engaged and connected to the company (1). 

While celebrating anniversaries in the workplace or sending out a one-year work anniversary meme might seem insignificant, the small things make a company great. Plus, work milestones are a perfect time for an employment progress check. They allow offices to determine what motivates employees to perform better, what tools help build teams and keep them in shape, and which strategies can improve engagement around the office.

If you want to celebrate or greet an employee, a work anniversary meme is an excellent way to kick off a special day. Follow it up with an office get-together, and don't forget to sweeten the celebration with a good incentive or reward. Little gestures will go a long way. 

How Can You Incentivize an Employee to Stay?

Incentive programs aren’t new, but implementing them has grown increasingly important in today’s fiercely competitive labor market. Ross Mudrick, a business operations insider and senior writer for Business News Daily, detailed some best practices for employee incentive programs that can improve employee retention in a 2023 feature (2).

Mudrick explains that to make those programs relevant, there has to be some degree of personalization. This involves making incentives versatile enough to allow employees to make their own choices, including enticing incentives such as restaurant gift certificates, concert tickets, additional days off, or weekend getaways. 

Make sure there is something for everyone. When employees can choose their reward on their own, they feel more connected to and motivated by it. It makes them feel they are working in the right place. Besides, it can be challenging to pick a gift that would motivate a diverse team, so flexible rewards will be your winning option. Being more deliberate about tenure rewards can bring a smile to an employee’s face and make them stay for the long run.

Retaining Talent Isn’t Just About the Money

Contrary to popular belief, the number one reason an employee leaves to work elsewhere isn't money, writes Shet Hyken in an article for Forbes in 2023 (3). Hyken reports that money is the easiest and safest excuse for an exit in any leave interview, but the reasons for quitting are more telling. 

A 2022 Work Institute Employee Retention study showed that employees often leave because of a lack of a clear career path, stress, health/family matters, a shortage of resources, and an inadequate work-life balance. Interestingly, money-related issues account for only 9% of employees who eventually leave (4). 

John Coleman, author of “Never Lose An Employee Again,” said in an interview with Hyken that keeping a good workforce includes constantly affirming that the employee chose the right company. 

Another way to keep employees is to apply an effective onboarding engagement program during their first 100 days. It motivates employees to perform and affirms that their contributions make a difference.

Coleman believes that when a boss can understand what their employees are dealing with beyond work, what’s important to them, and what motivates them to perform, it’s a strong indicator that the employees might be willing to stay. 

So, before your favorite staff pack up and go, take the time to brainstorm reasons for them to stay. Remember: Good employees believe in the organization’s purpose, know their worth, and expect to be treated that way.

References

1. Miranda Lloyd. “Why You Should Celebrate a Work Anniversary.” Kudo Board, December 19, 2023. | https://www.kudoboard.com/blog/why-you-should-celebrate-a-work-anniversary/
2. Ross Mudrick. “How To Develop Employee Incentive Programs That Boost Morale and Productivity.” Business News Daily, October 24, 2023. | https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/9240-engaging-employee-incentives.html
3. Shet Hyken. “Beyond Money: The Real Reasons Employees Stay Or Leave.” Forbes, July 9, 2023. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/shephyken/2023/07/09/beyond-money-the-real-reasons-employees-stay-or-leave/
4. Danny Nelms, Sarah Tucker, Glenn Spinner, William Mahan. “2022 Retention Report: How Employees Caused The Great Resignation.” Work Institute, 2022. | https://info.workinstitute.com/hubfs/2022+Retention+Report/2022+Retention+Report+-+Work+Institute.pdf