happy-years of sevice

Fresh is good. Fresh bread, fresh flowers, fresh fruit. All these things conjure up pleasant thoughts and feelings. And fresh breath gets the girl, right? Thank you, chewing gum commercials! 

But there are so many things in life that ought to be kept updated and fresh that you might not immediately think of.

The oil in your car, your heating and a/c ducts, your company’s approach to marketing, and (drumroll, please) your approach to Years of Service Awards. In the twenty-first century world of business, the Years of Service Award is standard and the temptation is to rely too much on set habits and traditions. Is it time to take that old program off the shelf, dust it off a bit and see if it’s still competitive? Is it fresh?

For starters, your program should reflect current trends in career movement. The average employee only stays with a company for between three and five years these days.

This unfortunate trend causes heartburn in human resources departments all over the country and research into the link between company culture and success in retention is clear. But if your years of service program doesn’t even kick in until the five-year mark, you’re missing an opportunity to create a culture of loyalty and longevity.

Related: How to Create a Years of Service Award Program Your Employees Will Love

In addition, today’s employees are far less enamored of fancy pens and watches, or crystal plaques. A years of service award program that includes benefits, perks, and added autonomy and responsibility will resonate far better with the modern workforce than the more outdated, merely symbolic recognition of decades gone by.

Consider pairing your fancy memorabilia with some of the intangibles that modern workers are looking for.

For example; time is a huge incentive in today’s work world. Paid leave, face time with management-- even greater time management freedom such as flexible work hours, or the option to work from home…

All these things can help encourage a two year employee to stick around for that half-decade perk. When an employee realizes that long-term commitment to their job earns them special accommodation and considerations, it adds a significant incentive.

And don’t discount the minor inter-office perk as a recognition tool for those lower rungs on the Years of Service ladder. It may have reached trope status from overuse in late night comedy routines, but don’t knock the special parking space!

A desk position upgrade, a fancy new chair, access to an exclusive break-room, and other simple, but significant work space upgrades can contribute to an inter-office culture of reward for loyalty.

When all is said and done, revamping and updating a Years of Service program might not be as fun as fresh flowers, or as mouth-watering as fresh bread, but the refreshing effect on your workplace environment makes the effort well worth it.

Contact one of CA Short’s Certified Recognition Professionals today to pick our well-stocked brains for some fresh ideas today. You’ll be glad you took the time.

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