Ah, the workiversary–an exciting occasion worthy of celebration! Whether you’re an office veteran or a fresh face at work, the workiversary is a significant event that deserves to be marked with flair.
While originally a clever bit of office slang, the workiversary is entering mainstream use—so it’s worth knowing inside and out. Let’s dive into the world of work anniversaries and give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about the workiversary.
Is It a Workiversary or Workaversary?
Let’s get this out of the way, the correct term is “workiversary.” It captures the essence of celebrating one’s time and dedication to the job, making it the perfect choice for acknowledging this special occasion. It also saves you three letters every time you write it out.
Workiversary (with an i) is more commonly used on social channels as hashtags and more frequently typed into search engines. In fact, the term workiversary gets over 1000 clicks a month in Google while workaversary gets around 750, according to search tool Spyfu.
The term’s charm lies in its playfulness and ability to brighten up the office with a dash of joy and appreciation. It takes the stuffy, older “happy work anniversary” message and makes it approachable for a new generation of office workers hitting new milestones—be it a 1 year anniversary or a 10 year milestone.
When to Use the Term “Workiversary”
If you’re not an office slang guru, you might wonder when it’s appropriate to use workiversary instead of the formal work anniversary. In short, you can use these terms interchangeably at virtually any time. For example, you can specifically use workiversary for:
Social Media Posts
Whether you’re announcing your work anniversary on Linkedin or shouting out an employee on a company account, workiversary makes your message feel fun and lighthearted.
Team Building Announcements
Incorporating work anniversary language into announcements for team building activities and more fosters a supportive and connected workplace culture.
Employee Appreciation Cards
When sending or signing a work anniversary cards on a colleague’s workiversary, use the term to show gratitude and celebrate their hard work.
Slack or Teams Messages
Put “happy workiversary” in a team chat or company channel to recognize the employee on their special day.
Water Cooler Conversation
Feel free to use “workiversary” in casual conversation to add a fun and lighthearted flair to your usual “happy anniversary” greeting.
Why are Workiversaries Important?
Workiversaries are not just another day at the office–they carry significant importance for both individuals and the workplace as a whole. Here’s why these inspiring work anniversaries matter:
Employee Engagement
Workiversaries contribute to higher employee engagement by showing employees that their hard work is valued and appreciated.
Employee Retention
Celebrating work anniversaries reduces regrettable attrition and other turnover by creating a sense of belonging and loyalty to the company.
Positive Workplace Culture
Incorporating work anniversaries into the workplace culture promotes a positive and supportive environment, leading to improved morale and teamwork.
Ways to Celebrate the Workiversary
It’s always a joy to celebrate a workiversary with coworkers and friends—and it’s great for morale. Here are some exciting ways to mark this special occasion, whether in the office, a hybrid setup, or remotely:
Office Party
Organize a fun-filled workiversary party complete with decorations, cake, and maybe even a personalized work anniversary card for the celebrant.
Virtual Celebrations
For remote teams, send a virtual workiversary card with video messages, work anniversary memes, and more to infuse the day with warmth and cheer.
Work Anniversary Gift
Recognize their dedication by sending a corporate gift like SWAG, event tickets, a gift card, or a technology update.
Team Lunch or Dinner
Treat the workiversary star to a delightful team lunch or dinner as a gesture of appreciation for their dedicated service.
Workiversary Awards
Create personalized work anniversary awards to recognize the employee’s achievements, unique qualities, and contributions to the team.
Writing Workiversary Messages for a Card
Many workiversaries come with a card, so you’ll need to be prepared to sign. Crafting the perfect work anniversary message for a card is an art that brings heartfelt appreciation to life. Here are some tips for crafting those delightful work anniversary wishes:
Personalize the Message
Tailor your work anniversary quotes to reflect the recipient’s hard work, unique contributions, and positive impact on the team.
Show Gratitude
Show genuine appreciation for the employee’s dedication and the value they bring to the workplace.
Share Well Wishes
Extend warm wishes for continued success, growth, and prosperity in the years ahead.
Inject Positivity
Infuse your anniversary messages with positivity, admiration, and a touch of lightheartedness to lift the recipient’s spirits.
How to Announce Your Workiversary
If you’re celebrating a workiversary, you may want to announce your work anniversary to your larger network. Human resources or leadership sometimes handles this messaging internally, but it can be a joyful moment to share with other colleagues and friends. Here are some situations where announcing your workiversary is fitting:
Social Platforms
Share the milestone on social media platforms like Linkedin or Instagram, celebrating your achievements and expressing gratitude for the journey.
Comms Channels
If it’s a significant employee work anniversary, consider announcing it in more general Slack or Teams channels to share your achievement with the larger organization.
Newsletters
Reach out to corporate communications to add your milestone to a lighthearted newsletter. They’ll appreciate the cultural value added by your workiversary.
Happy Workiversary: Here to Stay
In a nutshell, workiversary is a fun term that brings fun and lightheartedness to the workplace—and saves you three letters. It’s safe to say that workiversary isn’t going anywhere, as what was once slang has entered mainstream use and is acceptable in workplaces across the globe.
Plus, workiversaries are truly an occasion to appreciate and celebrate the dedication, hard work, and inspiring contributions of every employee. Whether it’s an intimate celebration with a work anniversary card or a lively office party, each workiversary is a moment to cherish and value. And of course, work anniversary cards play a delightful role in spreading joy and appreciation throughout the workplace.
So go ahead, celebrate those workiversaries and let the joy of appreciation resonate throughout the office! Happy Workiversary!
Celebrate a workiversary with messages from the team
Explore how Kudoboard’s workiversary cards can elevate your workplace culture and team bonding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Workiversary vs Workaversary
Does “workiversary” need a hyphen?
The term “workiversary” does not require a hyphen. It’s a fun blend of “work” and “anniversary” that stands strong on its own as a charming slang term for workplace milestones.
When is it appropriate to give a workiversary gift?
Workiversary employee gifts are best given on significant milestones such as 5, 10, or 25 years of dedicated service, showcasing admiration and appreciation for the employee’s commitment and loyalty.
How does workiversary improve company culture?
In the workplace, celebrating workiversaries is an important part of an employee engagement program. Whether celebrated with a big event or a workiversary group greeting card, they create a great employee experience by recognizing hard work and improving sense of belonging.
About the author:
