Question of the Week: What are some meaningful ways to celebrate an employee’s work anniversary?

Answered by the HR Pros

Recognizing a work anniversary is a great opportunity to show how much you appreciate an employee’s commitment to the success of your organization. Here are some options you might consider:A personal note of appreciation from their managerA video message, digital card, or physical card with messages from their teamA spotlight in an internal newsletter, intranet post, or all-hands meeting. The spotlight could include listing the employee’s name and tenure or feature recent accomplishmentsPersonalized gifts based on the employee’s interests and tenureA paid sabbatical after so many yearsA professional development stipend beyond what’s typically available in your organizationWhatever option you choose, consistency is important to avoid anyone feeling excluded or like they’ve been treated unfairly. You can, however, have different practices based on years of employment or type of role. You also can, and should, treat people differently based on their preferences. For instance, if you have an employee who absolutely hates public attention, a splashy call-out in a meeting might be their worst nightmare rather than a welcome form of acknowledgment. Similarly, not everyone will enjoy a case of fine wine or a gift certificate to a bookstore. Using what you know about the employee to customize their recognition will make it that much more meaningful.This Q&A does not constitute legal advice and does not address state or local law.