I work for a relatively small company and the other day I got a very pleasant surprise. I’d been working for the same manager for about a year when he called me in and handed me an envelope. My heart sank and then he told me to open the envelope. As I was opening it, he thanked me for a great year and told me how much they appreciated having me in the department. To my amazement, the envelope contained an anniversary card. Never in all my years of employment have I received employee anniversary cards from my employer.
I think I actually felt tears welling up in my eyes. Even though I’ve only been with my current employer a little over a year, I really felt like part of the team and I had hoped they felt the same way. You know, when you think about it, considering there are only 24 hours in a day and you sleep for about 8 of them, you are with your “work family” half of every day. To get anniversary cards seemed to cement that relationship.
I proudly displayed that card on my desk for the week and then brought it home to show my family. I found out from other employees that the company recognizes every year’s anniversary with a card. I guess I didn’t think companies took the time to add that personal touch, but I was wrong. Getting that card meant the world to me.