Why Celebrating an Employee’s Workaversary is a Game-Changer

Imagine walking into work on an ordinary Tuesday and finding your office decked out like a mini festival—just for you! Streamers, treats, and smiling colleagues are ready to celebrate your journey with the company.

That’s the magic of a workaversary. It’s not just another date on the calendar; it’s a golden opportunity to boost morale, reinforce loyalty, and ignite team spirit.

In this article, we’ll explore why marking these milestones is crucial and share creative, fun ways to make each workaversary unforgettable. Ready to turn every work anniversary into a cherished tradition? Let’s dive in.

What is a Workaversary?

Simply put, a workaversary is the anniversary of an employee’s start date at your company. It’s a significant milestone marking another year of hard work, growth, and contribution. Workaversaries are opportunities to reflect on accomplishments, show appreciation, and reinforce a sense of belonging within the team.

Workiversary or Workaversary?

You might come across the term “workiversary” and wonder which one is correct. Good news: both terms mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably. Whether you prefer workiversary or workaversary, it’s all about celebrating an employee’s years of service and contributions.

Why Celebrate an Employee’s Workaversary?

Recognizing workaversaries goes beyond a simple gesture of goodwill—it’s a strategic investment in your company’s culture and employee engagement. Here’s why celebrating workaversaries matters:

Boosts Morale

Recognizing the length of time employees have been with the company shows that their efforts are noticed and appreciated. This act lifts spirits and enhances job satisfaction, ensuring employees feel recognized and important. Imagine this scenario: your employee arrives at the office to find a surprise celebration featuring their favorite snacks. It’s an immediate morale booster.

Strengthens Retention

Celebrating workaversaries strengthens employees' bonds with the company and boosts their chances of staying for the long haul. When employees feel valued and celebrated, their loyalty increases. It’s like hosting a yearly mini-party that says, “We appreciate you, and we’re thrilled to have you here!”

Fosters Engagement

Honoring milestones creates a positive workplace atmosphere and enhances the camaraderie among team members, boosting engagement and productivity. Picture the whole team gathering to celebrate a colleague’s workaversary—it’s the perfect formula for team bonding and revitalized energy.

Workaversary Tips for Managers

Work anniversaries are small moments with unexpectedly large impacts.

Employees are twice as likely to resign close to their work anniversary than at any other time in their work careers.

Even those who are less aware of their work anniversary are affected because recruiters know this timing and plan their reach-out accordingly. So, a forgotten or mishandled work anniversary can trigger an employee to say “tell me more” to a recruiter. On the flip side, a well-handled work anniversary may be remembered for the rest of an employee’s career.

Always Remember Work Anniversaries

Come up with a system or use a tool to remind you of your employee's work anniversaries. Add them to your calendar, use your employee directory or any other tool that ensures you never forget. After all, not remembering a workaversary is like forgetting a wedding anniversary—it doesn’t end well.

Reach Out

Reach out first thing on the exact day of their work anniversary. If their workaversary falls on a day they won’t be working, then reach out the next earliest day preferably the day before. In-person or on video is best. If that’s not possible, a voice call works. If you can’t talk to them, text them. Email is a last resort but far better than missing the day. The key is to make them feel special and acknowledged.

Be On Time with Reviews and Raises

If your organization ties reviews and raises to work anniversaries, ensure you’ve completed the review and shared the raise amount before the work anniversary, never after. If your organization does reviews and raises at a different time, remind the employee of that. Timing is everything.

Know Them Well Enough for a Thoughtful Gesture

Do you know your direct reports’ favorite candy bar? Coffee order? Something else small? Show up first thing in the morning with their favorite treat—it will go over really well. Just ensure you do something roughly equivalent for everyone.

Have Skip-Level Work Anniversary Conversations

Work anniversaries are a great excuse to keep in touch with what’s really happening on the front lines. A 15-minute conversation starting with, “If you had a magic wand, what would you change at work?” can uncover a lot of insights and valuable ideas. Plus, it shows you care about their opinions.

Celebrating Workaversaries in a Remote Environment

Keeping company traditions and celebrating career milestones with a distributed team can be a challenge. As remote work anniversaries approach, it's essential to find creative ways to make these occasions meaningful.

Virtual Party Over Video Conference

Start by sending an eGift card for lunch on the company. Then, gather the team or the entire company on Microsoft Teams or Slack to celebrate the employee's accomplishments. Share fun stories, inside jokes, and favorite memories from working together.

Digital Memory Book

Create a digital memory book using a tool like Canva. Highlight the employee's major projects, proudest contributions, and memorable moments. Include short video messages from colleagues congratulating the employee as you go through the pages.

Send a Physical Gift Box

Complement digital celebrations with a physical gift. Use a service like SnackNation to send a celebratory box of tasty treats to the employee’s home. Personalize the gifts based on their hobbies and interests to make them feel extra special.

Conclusion

Celebrating workaversaries is more than a feel-good gesture; it’s a powerful tool for boosting morale, strengthening retention, and fostering engagement. By incorporating these celebrations into your company culture, you create a workplace where employees feel valued, appreciated, and motivated to continue contributing their best.