4 Tips to Transform Office Birthdays From Hassle to Happy
“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to whichever co-worker’s birthday it is today because there are so many I can’…
Even with 75k employees, our CEO's office still sends a birthday and anniversary email to every employee, every year. His team has an Excel sheet with the names and dates, and template emails that change slightly every year. His EA sends under his signature, but he personally responds to employees on his own if they reply.This is exactly the kind of special treatment it takes to help achieve that employee appreciation goal. “It really makes a difference to the employees,” she adds. “The recognition makes them feel appreciated. It’s simple, yet effective.” Make it Special: A note or email from the CEO will always be appreciated. But, why not see if you can take the fun up a level by getting upper management to agree to some sort of ridiculously fun birthday tradition? Maybe he or she has to do a “happy birthday” dance in front of the entire office. From the small to the large (dunk tank, anyone?), getting the higher-ups in on the fun will only add to the entire celebration.
We have an inflatable flailing arm guy (with happy birthday written on him) and an extension cord with a motion sensor.As silly as these antics might seem, a hilarious birthday routine can go a long way in making employees’ big days that much more special. After all, who doesn’t want to laugh on their birthday? Even better? A routine simplifies and streamlines things for all birthdays—which means there’s less planning for you! Make it Special: Humor is always appreciated. But, if you can find something that actually relates to your office or company, that’s even better. Maybe this takes the form of a pinata shaped like your company logo (or your competitor’s…). Perhaps the birthday person gets to bring their pet into the office for the day. Or, maybe you give them a pass for the week on all of those things everyone in your office hates—the worst chair in the meeting room, refilling the coffee pot, or needing to stock the printer paper drawer. Finding traditions that are fun, humorous, and customized to your specific workplace is a surefire way to make your employees feel special.
Each person gets a card, a balloon, and a treat of their choice. I know what each employee likes, so I try to get them something that I know they will love.These personal touches make the recognition that much more special. It feels more like a celebration—and less like an obligation. Make it Special: It’s easy to feel like you need to maintain some sort of element of surprise when planning a birthday celebration. But why not explicitly ask that person how he or she would like to celebrate? Maybe he’d rather have pie than your standard cake. Or perhaps she’d like to do an after-hours Hoppy Hour instead of taking everyone’s time away from work. Never be afraid to specifically ask for a person’s opinions. You might be surprised! With these tips, you can ensure that team members feel a bit of birthday magic without needing to exhaust everybody else in your office (and, well, yourself). Give these a try, and birthdays will quickly transform from hassle to happy! How do you celebrate office birthdays? Let us know in the comments!