Planning the Perfect Work Anniversary for Your Top Performers

Planning the Perfect Work Anniversary for Your Top Performers

Every organization has its star performers. These employees put in the highest efforts and strive for company success. While the compensation and benefits package are enough for their services, these employees deserve better. Top performers feel motivated to work harder for your company when their commitment is actively recognized.

Celebrating their work anniversary is a great way to show appreciation and gratitude for their continuous effort for your organization. So, how do you plan a work anniversary? And what can you do to convey your gratitude? Here, we’ve listed a few ways to do it. Take a look.

Work Anniversary Award

The best way to make an employee’s tenure in your company memorable is by giving them an award on their work anniversary. You can do it every year. Alternatively, you can arrange special awards for employees who have completed five, ten, fifteen, or more years in your organization.

You can prepare personalized awards and plaques for them with their names and achievements. They can save those and cherish the memories in the future. Receiving an award will motivate the employee and enhance their loyalty. At the same time, other employees will also feel motivated.

Public Recognition

You can also publicly recognize employees who have contributed to your company for many years. Hold a small celebratory event on their work anniversary. You can also present the award in front of your peers. Write a small thank-you note or a thank-you speech and deliver it during the event. It adds a touch of personalization and increases their sense of belongingness. You can also put together a gift hamper for every recipient.

You can also thank these employees and mention how they have dedicatedly served the company all these years on the company website or newsletter. It’ll give exposure to their efforts, and they will feel appreciated.

Promotion and Bonus

Another way to thank your employees for their continuous efforts and commitment to your organization is to give them a promotion. Top performers feel better when you give them more responsibilities. It boosts their confidence and motivates them.

If the employee is already in a senior position, you can give them a bonus as a work anniversary gift. It can be a one-time bonus or a percentage increase. A monetary bonus can always motivate them as they can make good use of the amount. It also urges the other employees to work harder and stay committed to your company.

Personal Development Opportunities

Another way to thank your long-term employee for their commitment is to provide them with personal development opportunities. Unless they’re retiring soon, this can be a great opportunity for them to climb higher in their career. You can help them develop their career path framework and observe the trajectory. It’ll help you decide what specific opportunity to make available for your long-term employee. You can enroll them in a coaching or mentorship program, get access to networking events and conferences, or train them to sharpen their skills or learn something new.

This practice is a great way to thank them for their efforts, but it also helps attract and retain top talents to your organization.

Flextime

Another way to thank your employee on their work anniversary is to provide them with an option for flexible work hours in your company. The employee has already put in the effort for many years, and to express your gratitude, you can offer them flexible hours to have better control over their work-life balance.

It can be offered for a specific period or permanently. Check with their department to understand if they can accommodate flextime. This practice will motivate other employees, too, because many desire flexible hours for better control over their work hours.

Holiday Plan

One of the best work anniversary gifts is a holiday package – fully sponsored by the company. Your employee has diligently worked for your company for years, and you can offer them a special holiday package to unwind and spend good time with their family or dear ones.

If you don’t want to give them a one-off vacation package, you can increase their yearly off days by adding seven or ten extra days to the existing package. It’ll also help them feel appreciated and enhance their loyalty.

 

Team Celebrations and Activities

If multiple people have the same work anniversary, you can hold a team celebration and plan activities for the event. You can arrange an event at the office premises, with food, drinks, and entertainment options. Or, you can take the team on a day trip and have fun activities that enhance their bonding. The practice is highly effective in boosting team dynamics and camaraderie. And this day can also be something the employees look up to.

Hiring talents and providing them with the best benefits packages are the basics of retaining and motivating your employees. If they work for you for years, you should take an extra step and thank them for their efforts. Not only will this make them feel appreciated, but also touch the other employees. They will feel like they belong in a company that makes them seen and heard and won’t think about switching anytime soon. However, make sure that you provide them with the basics first.