KnowHR Blog - Latest Comments in Do You Celebrate Birthdays at the Office Anymore?

Re: Do You Celebrate Birthdays at the Office Anymore?

Ameda — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:43:19 -0000

I do not celebrate my birthdays at my office, did celebrate my birthdays in my office a five years back though!

Re: Do You Celebrate Birthdays at the Office Anymore?

Frank — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:25:26 -0000

Eric, it's about doing the personal things like what you do that really matter. Excellent.

Re: Do You Celebrate Birthdays at the Office Anymore?

Eric — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:13:18 -0000

My approach is to celebrate the birthday by taking that person to lunch. Not only are you recognizing an event in their life but you also get to spend some quality time getting to know them even better.

Re: Do You Celebrate Birthdays at the Office Anymore?

Frank — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:00:22 -0000

Hi Joanne,

It's about being genuine...I like how you say that. It's really meaningful
to people...and they remember how you made them feel long after the money
has been spent. It's the kind gestures...glad there are managers out there
like you.

Re: Do You Celebrate Birthdays at the Office Anymore?

Joanne Bintliff-Ritchie — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:13:38 -0000

I've always make a point of taking time to celebrate with my staff. Not to the point where the celebrations are meaningless, but to genuinely treat people. Monthly birthdays, an employee who graduates or gets certification, weddings and babies (for both male and female employees). If the company didn't cover it then I did. It's a chance to relax, mingle, laugh - we all need these things. And when you do it together you solidify the togetherness that is necessary to accomplish goals and do that happily.

Re: Do You Celebrate Birthdays at the Office Anymore?

Frank — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:39:23 -0000

Amey, isn't it great to be thought of when you don't know it? Those kinds of
gestures are what last with us all year. It's such a good feeling. And it
sounds like you have great camaraderie at your place. That is just so great.
I'm smiling from here.

Little gestures, especially in this environment, is essential.

Re: Do You Celebrate Birthdays at the Office Anymore?

Amey Kennedy — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:10:42 -0000

Birthdays make people feel good. In today's market, I think everyone deserves a day (or maybe an hour) to feel good. For my last b-day I got to spend it as a juror in federal court. When I got back to work, my co-workers had a cake made with everyones faces super-imposed over people sitting in a jury box. The cake read "The jury is in!". it was awesome. I've never been a fan of mine own b-day but having such a nice gesture made was cool. And I think every now and then we need that...A recognition. An acknowledgement. And what a simple way to do it. Have cake!

Re: Do You Celebrate Birthdays at the Office Anymore?

HR Minion — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:45:59 -0000

Happy Birthday to your wife!

At my company people receive a birthday card and most teams have treats. It's a small gesture but it makes a difference.

Re: Do You Celebrate Birthdays at the Office Anymore?

Paul Hebert — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:18:42 -0000

Funny you would post that today. My birthday is tomorrow and I was going to post on how in my 20+ years working in a corporate environment I never once had a birthday celebration and how that would have been a cool thing - if it were genuine.

Birthday wishes to your wife.

Re: Do You Celebrate Birthdays at the Office Anymore?

Frank — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:10:00 -0000

Paul, you should definitely post that. Dang about not having a cake...but I
will say happy birthday to you a day early. I hope it's a great one.

And super thanks for the great work on this HCI presentation. I'm looking
forward to it today.

Re: Do You Celebrate Birthdays at the Office Anymore?

Frank — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:09:55 -0000

I like birthday celebrations. It's something about telling a person that you
thought about them...if only for an instant. It's why I like hearing from
people that I haven't heard from all year on my birthday. It is a small
gesture, but one that I like very much. Gld to hear you do it at your place.