Why employee anniversaries matter

Bethany has been with your company for three years this month. Aiden started six years ago, and Phyllis just passed her ten year anniversary. Lisa's only been here a year...actually, it's a year this month. And what are you doing to celebrate and honor these milestones? Giving them a performance review? Letting them earn an extra hour of PTO each month?

Your employees are the backbone of your company. Odds are, they spend more hours there, in their offices and cubicles and workstations than they do with their kids or even in their own houses. And yet, year after year, their anniversary comes and goes without a word.

Let me ask you something...do you actually WANT them to care about your company? About the team and the projects and the goals and the deadlines? Not just do it for the paycheck, but CARE.

If the answer is yes, it's time you let them know that you could not have a company without them. No employees means no expertise and no customer service and no products made or sold...face it, they are your company.

Instead of acting as though they're lucky to have a job, start acting as though you're lucky to have employees.

Start with their anniversary. Even if you've never mentioned it to them before, look up the dates and make a big deal about each and every one. Give them employee anniversary cards and SIGN THEM! Have a once a week announcement of who is celebrating and how many years they've served your company. Print up colorful lists for each month and hang them in break rooms and lunch areas. Give long-term employees a small gift or award.

Make it a big deal that these people spend most of their waking hours at your company! The rewards your company will reap will far outweight the cost of a few trinkets and a package of anniversary cards.