Employee Anniversary Gifts Key Terms

Use employee anniversary gifts key terms to learn important features of employee recognition programs

By Michele Vrouvas

Today's HR departments are scrambling for new ideas on when to give employee anniversary gifts. They're breaking away from the long-standing tradition in which employees' anniversaries were recognized only at five-year increments. Some employers today are even using anniversaries as a reason to recognize excellent service or loyalty to the company. Others are using it as an employee motivation strategy that sends the right message to the entire staff. Whatever your reason, knowing some key terms can help you design a special employee anniversary gifts program.

Years of service awards

Years of service awards are the most traditional and cost effective awards to consider for giving employee anniversary gifts. They award employees for having successfully completed a certain number of years with the company.
Try: C.A. Short explains why years of service awards remain cost effective in today's business environment. You'll also get suggestions on how to change your years of service awards programs, such as why you should base it on individualization which includes making a demographic fit to the employee's circumstances rather than to the company's circumstances.

Company morale

One of the main reasons that businesses honor employee anniversaries is to improve company morale, the general attitude of most employees toward the organization and toward management.
Try: Visit GNeil.com to learn ways to boost company morale with employee anniversary cards.

Recognition packet

The term recognition packet refers to an individualized package of materials given to employees who have reached a milestone anniversary. These packets usually contain a letter of congratulations and perhaps a gift certificate.
Try: Find out why Spelman College's HR department hands out recognition packets as employee anniversary gifts and get some suggestions for what to include in these packets.

Employee engagement

HR professionals consider employee anniversary gifts a key part of their employee engagement strategy. Effort is made to involve employees in company events so that they'll feel connected to the organization.
Try: Consider why The Corporate Responsibility Officer CRO suggests anniversary gifts are essential when it comes to connecting with employees. The site also explains how successful employee engagement today is much more than just recognizing milestone anniversaries.

Employee anniversary letter

An employee anniversary gift can be as simple as sending an employee anniversary letter, congratulating employees either for every year they spend at the company, or for having achieved a milestone anniversary.
Try: Job Bank USA offers an example on how to write an employee anniversary letter. Find out how to make the letter personal by noting specific contributions.

Service appreciation awards

Some businesses give service appreciation awards as employee anniversary gifts. These honor employees for having performed exceptional service, such as in sales, marketing or human resources.
Try: The University of North Carolina offers suggestions on how to calculate an employee's total service and how to distribute service appreciation awards.