A Personal Touch to Employee Service Awards

Here’s the thing. Technology makes all of our lives easier. We couldn’t do business without email, computers, and cell phones. No one is denying that it’s probably a bit more cost effective, and definitely quicker to offer everything via the Internet. However, we think that some aspects of business, including employee recognition, should be more personal than a simple email announcement. Do more than tell your employees they matter — show them. It's all about creating memories that last a lifetime.

The Importance of a Years of Service Award

A Years of Service Award Program is about more than just getting a gift for sticking around. A systematic service award program encompasses the event, the award, and the recognition experience. By providing tangible, personalized presentation options that fit with the organizational culture and budget, you are able to maximize the impact and improve overall satisfaction of the program itself.

Studies have shown repeatedly that an atmosphere of encouragement and appreciation has a huge impact on employee performance, engagement and retention. Simple, yet personal methods for recognizing the work of your employees is the way to gain traction in these areas. Let’s take a look at ten creative, high value ideas for showing employee appreciation and promoting a healthy, purposeful atmosphere within the ranks.

Recognition is an inherent human trait.  As a culture, we place a great value on recognition; birthdays, wedding anniversaries, graduations, accomplishments, achievements, employment years-of-service milestones, and more. It has been an American tradition for over 75 years to recognize employees for longevity. Let’s take a look at how and when the tradition of recognizing anniversaries began. 

The History of Celebrations

Wedding anniversaries are the most common and popular of milestone celebrations. This is nothing new. Wedding anniversaries were celebrated way back in the ancient Holy Roman Empire. On their 25th anniversary husbands would crown their wives with a silver wreath, and on their 50th anniversary, a gold wreath. This was the origin of the modern day silver and gold wedding anniversaries. This custom, silver and gold anniversaries, was carried on by the medieval Germans.

Show Employees They Are Valued

It’s that time of year again when you can make a noticeable difference in the lives of your employees by showing them an extra dose of appreciation during 2019’s National Nurses Week (May 6-12) and National Hospital Week (May 12-18).

When two of the most respected names in employee engagement and recognition join forces, you can expect big things. And that’s exactly what our clients will receive from our partnership with performance-improvement firm Peerless Performance. We’re excited to announce our game-changing joint offering: Next Generation Incentives.

It’s possible to become so wrapped up in tradition, we can forget why it is we’re doing something. When that happens, we run the risk of simply “going through the motions.” Sadly, this occurs far too often when it comes to honoring employees for their loyalty and commitment.

It’s hard to believe – 2018 is quickly coming to an end. Fall is already in the air, and the holidays will be here before you know it. That means your organization will soon have a tremendous opportunity to recognize and reward your employees for their hard work.

One of the most effective means of improving engagement and safety at any organization lies in ensuring every employee knows that they’re a valuable member of the team. And while many businesses offer employees Years of Service awards when they reach significant milestones, most companies fail to provide their employees adequate recognition throughout the year.

If a business fails to utilize day-to-day recognition, they are making a crucial misstep that could have a significant impact on not just employee morale, but on their company’s bottom line. The following five tips are designed to help your company recognize employees without the need of a special event.

This article is dedicated to Buford Ellis, whose dedication and commitment to C.A. Short Company has inspired us for more than 60 years. You’ve made us better employees, better managers, and better friends. May your retirement be filled with the same love you showed all of us.

YOS awards have been a mainstay in the business world for decades. However, a rapidly changing workforce has altered how we must approach them. What worked 30, 20, or even 10 years ago is no longer enough.

That’s why C.A. Short Company is proud to share with you these 10 best practices for offering Years of Service awards in 2019.