I’ve posted a few times on service anniversaries and if you’re a regular reader you know I’m not a big fan. I think they represent the Henry Ford era of recognition and should be unceremoniously relegated to the dust bin of HR practices.
Some folks disagree with me. (Can you believe that?)
Rather than bury this disagreement in a two-year old post I’m bringing it to the forefront here for further discussion.
Below is the comment on a post I did January 1, 2008. I provided my responses “in line” below each of the commenter’s, well, comments. (I apologize, but for some reason some of the links in the original post are no longer valid and the Magazine article I reference is no longer on their servers. But I repurposed the article here so feel free to download and take a look...)
On to the comment:
“Wow, is this anything like saying to your wife or significant other, "Honey, since most marriages end in divorce, I have decided to not give you any anniversary gifts. And since everyone eventually dies, let's forgo birthday celebrations too. Instead whenever you meet arbitrary goals I set for you, I will take you to a concert, or even better give you a $25.00 gift card to some random store at the mall."
No... I’m not saying that at all. I am saying that if you treat your wife like crap for 364 days each year handing them a gift on the 365th day is a worthless and demeaning gesture. I will say that most marriages might end in divorce BECAUSE they think an anniversary present is the MAXIMUM one should do to celebrate a marriage.
Really, is that how you see service awards? Has it ever occurred to you that a lot of younger generation workers aren't staying with companies because of the lack of appreciation!?!
Yep... they are leaving because a lack of appreciation – on each and every one of the 364 days they don’t get feedback, validation, recognition, direction, guidance and support. So, yes, you are right – but you are totally wrong. That one event every 364 days is not what they are looking for. The lack of one event every other day is why they are leaving and simply lumping them all into one small event every year doesn’t make up for the dearth of recognition the rest of the year.
I am not saying the service award program is the end all, be all. BUT it is an important part of any organizations tools of appreciation.
No. It’s not. It is A tool. And not that important a part. I’d suggest of all the reward options available to company to recognize employees it is the weakest. It is in reality – the easiest award to earn. Think about it. To stay with most companies you need to keep your head below the log and hope you don’t get noticed – either for good performance or bad. People who stir the pot and look for ways to change the company are many times seen as disturbers and they need to be removed. Those that work below the minimum – they get bounced too. What’s left are those that stay firmly in the middle of the pack. Neither great nor good. That’s what most service anniversary program reward.
The key to any successful program is how it is presented and the meaningfulness of the award. Companies can find out what is important to their most valuable asset by giving them a choice of what they would like. Including a token that is representative of the company helps tie that accomplishment to the organization.
Yeah... keep making the choice for your employees and see how many really, really, really like that crystal vase or lapel pin (lapels – what are they again?) And what is the value of that choice each year? Typically it is determined based on the IRS tax code for the maximum allowable deduction - not the value of the contribution. Check it out - you'll see. Most companies determine the award value based on what they can write off. That's recognition at its finest.
These are parts that help create a culture of appreciation.
Thank you.
You're welcome and yes they are part of a culture of recognition. Unfortunately, the worst part.
If the commenter had really read my post carefully (or not so carefully) he would have seen I recommended that service anniversaries be augmented to include growth along with time. I wasn’t ignoring time with a company – I was simply saying that time isn’t good enough anymore.
Time and growth are the criteria. Combine getting better not just getting older.
Seacrest out...
This just in from a friend... there are currently 180 logo-identified cross pens available on ebay.
Posted by: Paul Hebert | March 11, 2011 at 01:08 PM
Hey Paul - OK... I actually laughed when I saw the title of the post... Kind of made my day when I thought about the multiple oxen being gored around the countryside - a virtual slaughterhouse...enough beef to feed armies.
You're the best at keeping a sharp stick one inch from the eye of the "recognition industry". And I think that's a very good thing. In the right context, recognizing tenure is a very healthy thing. Key is "right context". Tough to create and maintain that context - which is why I think there is an "industry" that exists largely on the profits from selling stuff. I'm in the space too - just trying to see and respond to reality and what the marketplace wants and needs (it would be interesting to play with that concept - wants/needs).
Tom
Posted by: Tom Miller | March 11, 2011 at 02:57 PM
Long time no hear Tom! Thanks for commenting. I know you know - but like you said - there's plenty of folks hawking merch for the sake of a sale. But I know you - and I know you don't sell the way I outlined. I'm all for - "hey if they want it sell it to them" - but at least try to help them do it better. I know you do that so this isn't aimed at you in any way.
Posted by: Paul Hebert | March 11, 2011 at 03:02 PM
The topics of your posts always coincide so nicely with my day to day. Thank you. Just today I received the reminder to select my 5 yr. anniversary gift. It's a tough call between the inflatable row boat, toaster (which I selected for my 3 yr.), walkie talkies or purse--among the 50ish similarly lackluster selections. Somehow inflatable rowboat doesn't quite strike me as the thank you for 5 years of exceeding expectations. However, I am reminded of my job every time I toast waffles--really, what better way to start your day?
I was thinking that recognition of years of service is valued in its recognition of knowledge as surely one must be knowledgeable the longer they have been on board. I used to admire the folks at a previous company with the pins that had more emeralds...one for each years-of-service marker. Although from your article I look back and think, hmmm...duration due to success or duration for flying under the radar.
Thanks for keeping my brain busy.
Posted by: Heather Rolette | March 11, 2011 at 04:33 PM
Paul --- Service recognition (once a year or whatever) is up there with "annual appraisals" for being (generally) worthless wastes of time and effort. I told my last VP when she asked me what I thought of appraisals (during the latest round of 'redoing the format'): "I've been with XYZ for over 30 years, and have had probably 28 appraisals; all but 3 were meaningless." The rest were about as valuable as the "crystal vases, mantle clocks, and lapel pins."
Isn't it time to put the 20th century behind us -- especially the worthless, no brain parts?
Posted by: Scott Crandall | March 11, 2011 at 04:51 PM
Ah yes... the sevylor two-man inflatable row boat... a staple in old-school recognition programs and incentive catalogs. Always wondered who actually ordered one of those. But now with wellness being the next go-to award program - they won't be offering any more waffle makers now will they?
Thanks for engaging here!
Posted by: Paul Hebert | March 11, 2011 at 05:35 PM
Huzzah! I'm with you brother.
Posted by: Paul Hebert | March 11, 2011 at 05:36 PM
Great post, Paul. It's a bit like "perfect attendance awards." I'd rather not encourage people to come to work sick and contagious. Please, if your sick (or your child is and needs you), stay home and get better. Don't share your germs around the office.
Posted by: Derek Irvine, Globoforce | March 21, 2011 at 04:24 PM