Workplace birthdays often attempt to meet the needs of celebration and productivity. Gone are the days of celebrating each person’s actual birth date. Now a once-a-month celebration of all birthdays is more common. In some workplaces, birthday celebrations are not allowed, ever.
Does a workplace pause for a birthday celebration matter? Yes. Celebrations matter because:
- People matter. When we know we are appreciated, we contribute more.
- A positive pause is far more productive than a negative break, or a growing sense of “people don’t matter here.”
- Being reminded of landmarks, anniversaries, and product releases gives us reason to be proud of what we are accomplishing as individuals and as teams.
Additional workplace celebrations worth celebrating internally and externally include:
- Company Anniversaries – for the years the company has been in business. Internal and external celebrations create “thank you” and “we’re still here for you” opportunities.
- Employee Anniversaries – 3, 5, 10 (or more) years with the company. Celebrating people shows that your company values people and the work they do for you. One client celebrated someone being with them for 47 years (he’d started during his first year of college and stayed on).
- Product releases – celebrating 5, 10, 15 (or more) years in the market. Same internal and external benefits as anniversary celebrations.
- NEW Product releases – celebrations and announcements so customers know what you have.
- NEW Office location – remind people where to find you. Confirm that you are still in business. Celebrate with employees that the new space (bigger or smaller) is going to work out nicely.
Celebratory pauses can be low fee: a card, a banner, an e-message that is specific to the recipient. Employee celebrations can be socially distanced catered events in the warehouse or parking lot. When large gatherings are universally okayed again, that alone may be cause for celebration with employees and customers.
What is your workplace celebrating this week? This month?
Workplace: Managing the moments of our day-to-day business lives takes work. Together, let’s explore what issues and activities affect us every day (or some days) that we go to work. – Jana