Hello Mr. Blue Collar, You've Hit a Milestone!
August 14, 2013 3:47 AM   Subscribe

I'm looking for ideas for anniversary gifts for 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20 year marks for employees my company. I work in a very blue collar maintenance field. Details inside!

Think niche plumbing - these technicians are out on the road in company trucks all day every day, doing one of the dirtiest jobs on the planet. We as a company are on the verge of exploding, and are looking to set a few reward systems in place for commitment to the company.

I've seen the traditional pens, watches, etc - we're more looking for something useful, that makes sense within our field if possible (it doesn't have to if it's a really neat idea). They also need to be proportionate in "value" to the years of service - the one idea I came up with was very well received, at the 3 year mark a great pair of steel toe work boots customized for that particular technician (think embossed/embroidered initials, etc.).

Some possible things of note -

- Our guys are 20s-30s, mostly good ol' Italian/Irishmen man's man types, they'll be the first the bust your chops heavily but at the same time I'd trust my life to any one of them.

- Expense isn't really much of an issue, it more matters that the gift is appropriate to the length of service, and truly meaningful.

- The trucks they drive are the company's, all gas and maintenance are paid for. They are allowed to drive them to and from home for work purposes as well.

- This list will definitely be made known to the techs - this is just one of the many tools we're trying to use to create longevity within the company. It's a really tough job, but the way business is going, employees who stay with us will have some really incredible opportunities in the future. It's just difficult for them to see an abstract bigger picture.
posted by assasinatdbeauty to Human Relations (28 answers total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
Is there some way to give them a bonus tied to company performance or stock ownership or more responsibility through being involved in company decisions or something like that? Do you have a product that you can give them either for themselves or to re-gift to others?
posted by jazh at 4:13 AM on August 14, 2013


Here's an idea, based on traditional wedding anniversary gifts:

1 - Paper
3 - Leather
5 - Wood
10 - Tin/aluminum
20 - China

You can find meaningful gifts that match each of those criteria. The gifts don't have to be the main gift - just the symbol. I think stock ownership is a fantastic gift to give long term employees because it is worth something and it stresses buy in.

I would also say that at some point, it is worth recognising their families, or at least their SOs. If the job is tough they'll take some part of it home and rewarding them with a weekend away or a slap up dinner is a nice way of acknowledging not only that they are married to the job, but so is their SO in some ways.
posted by MuffinMan at 4:19 AM on August 14, 2013 [2 favorites]


Stock options can work if it's a publicly traded company. If not, pay the income tax (due to the bonus) on the next paycheck and give an envelope with cash in $100 dollar bills.
posted by esprit de l'escalier at 4:22 AM on August 14, 2013


Regardless of collar color, the most valuable things in peoples lives are time and money - so tie better benefits that have real value to tenure - extra days/weeks of paid leave, increased matching of 401(k) contributions. Then the "gift" you present them with can be a token like the pen or the watch or even the boots.
posted by headnsouth at 4:42 AM on August 14, 2013 [2 favorites]


We as a company are on the verge of exploding, and are looking to set a few reward systems in place for commitment to the company.

Profit sharing? More paid vacation time? Higher salaries?
posted by RonButNotStupid at 4:45 AM on August 14, 2013 [3 favorites]


Response by poster: I'm sorry - to clarify now that i'm seeing a trend - I'm 100% looking for ideas for tangible gifts that can be presented to them. Profit sharing, stock (this is a private company anyway), bonuses, cash, SO gifts, vacations, more say in company - things like this are already on the agenda for other projects.
posted by assasinatdbeauty at 4:52 AM on August 14, 2013 [1 favorite]


Nothing says "I appreciate you, dear worker" like cold hard cash or some reasonable facsimile. Holiday bonuses, raises, benefits, extra sick days and vacation days, etc.
posted by futureisunwritten at 4:52 AM on August 14, 2013 [1 favorite]


Randolph Engineering is oft touted on the green and makes sunglasses with fantastic optics. If your guys are driving trucks, a pair of mil-spec sunglasses that reduce eye fatigue would be well appreciated.

If the laws in your region are supportive of it (knife laws are often stupid), I've never met a blue collar guy that didn't appreciate a quality pocketknife. I'm partial to Kershaw brand.

Zippo makes a butane-fueled handwarmer. I've gifted that to a couple blue collar family members and they loved it.

Steak dinners are always appreciated.
posted by bfranklin at 5:12 AM on August 14, 2013 [7 favorites]


Can they choose? My husband picked out a fishing pole for one of his anniversaries. Other ideas: a toolbox for year one and a different tool each year after (or vice versa). Engraved pocket knife.
posted by dpx.mfx at 5:14 AM on August 14, 2013 [1 favorite]


I would look at the gifts section at Duluth Trading for inspiration.
posted by ocherdraco at 5:29 AM on August 14, 2013


I was gifted with a little kit with a maglite, nice pocket knife and butane lighter in a little case with the company logo on it for my car and its come in handy several times.
posted by julie_of_the_jungle at 5:32 AM on August 14, 2013


The work boots are a cool idea. This would probably be a higher-cost item, but leather jackets are awesome and, you know, "tough," and everyone likes them (even vegetarians like me who are ashamed).

If they're spending loads of time in their trucks, can you get something to make that time more pleasant? The best birthday gift I ever got was a new car stereo with a USB port. Just saying. Car emergency kits are good too, though maybe not as fun.

Pocket knives, camping or fishing stuff - it would be nice to give people a choice of two or three items at the anniversary, like dpx.mfx says. Nothing makes you feel appreciated like getting something you actually want.

More tangible than bonuses but on the same line, what about gift cards to a restaurant or a local vacation spot? I've gotten those before - gift cards (and like, a couple hundred bucks, so enough for a weekend getaway to be mostly covered) for the Door County Visitors Bureau that we could use anywhere, at hotels or restaurants or whatever - that was the best. All we had to pay for was the gas.
posted by goodbyewaffles at 5:34 AM on August 14, 2013


I work in a blue-collar field, and there are group dinners at a restaurant (with decorations, and photos) provided for 15, 20, and 25 years of service honorees. Everyone has a good time and there is that camaraderie thing going on. Perhaps you could do something like that? - the number of years for honoring and the type of restaurant could of course be varied. One year of service seems a bit odd for honoring, though.
posted by RRgal at 5:46 AM on August 14, 2013 [1 favorite]


Sounds like the kind of guys who'd appreciate a really nice Leatherman.
posted by graymouser at 5:58 AM on August 14, 2013 [1 favorite]


When I worked for the phone company we got a catalogue and the gifts were organized by number of years service anniversary.

So you'd get your pin and your certificate, and you could pick a gift from the catalogue.

For example, 1 year was something like a Lladro figurine, a power drill or a Coach handbag. 5 year was a watch with the company logo on the face, a Sawsall or a nicer Coach handbag. 10 year was a full set of Oneida Flatware (that went to my mother-in-law) a table saw or a Coach weekender.

There are companies that actually set this up for you, O.C. Tanner is the big one that I know about. I don't know if you're here yet, but see if they can help you out.

At my current company for my year 1 anniversary, i got a clock. I put it on the shelf with the other clocks I've received as commemoratives. I'm not big on clocks.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:58 AM on August 14, 2013 [1 favorite]


I work with similarly collared employees (truck drivers) at a large company and we give our drivers options of what they can order when they hit various service and safe driving milestones. The most popular items are leather jackets, rings (class ring style), watches and belt buckles (I don't get this, but it seems to be a country thing). The rings and watches can have diamonds added to them as years go by.

Do your employees have to carry around lots of paperwork? Our drivers do and so they also like the nice briefcases they get at 10 years.
posted by odragul at 6:02 AM on August 14, 2013


multi-tools, at least for the first few steps! maybe 1 year get them a leatherman micra. 3, get them a wave. 5 is a kershaw multi-tool with vice grip-type pliers on it.

bonus - all of these can be engraved so you can get it with their name on it.
posted by rmd1023 at 6:04 AM on August 14, 2013 [1 favorite]


I think your idea went over well because it was a visible sign of seniority. Instilled pride in the work without shoving it in people's faces.

Following on that:
- Nice new set of tools specific to your industry? (Best quality with a company logo etched in) (Or a little award in the shape of a tool?) in general craftsmen have to invest in their own tools so a brand new set would be amazing (and $$$)
- some kind of upgrade to their truck?
- really nice beer mugs. Like epic beer mugs.
- at 20 years you get to be boss for a day.
- top five employees that year enter into a plumbing contest; winner craftsman gets a prize
- is there a hierarchy of type of projects? Better locations, more challenging work? Seniors get the challenging work.
- vacation to sun & beach location for him & the mrs., kids (if any) are taken care of.
- Friday dinner & beers is on the company for a month (relax after a long week)

Just some ideas. You sound like a good company!
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:05 AM on August 14, 2013 [3 favorites]


I worked at a company with similar demographics. What we did to recognize people with 10+ years of experience was to pay for a satellite radio installation and subscription in their company truck. Our people spent a lot of time driving from site to site, and they really appreciated this perk.
posted by Coffeemate at 6:05 AM on August 14, 2013 [12 favorites]


Just a sort of abstract thought on this. At the sawmill my Dad worked for, after 20 years of service, they were invited to a company banquet where they got fairly conventional gifts on their 5 year service anniversaries -- lapel pins with gems, a gold watch, etc. But on their 30th service anniversary (this was a long standing company, so people were reaching this milestone with regularity) they got an envelope.

A mysterious envelope. A mysterious envelope they weren't supposed to tell anybody about. Not on, like, pain of death or firing, just a tradition of 'let's keep this our little secret, shall we?'

Speculation on what was in the envelopes was rampant but good-spirited. People guessed it was money, vacations, car leases, all kinds of things. Any time an employee hit 30 years and then got anything at all new, people would assume that was what was in the envelope. An envelope recipients could just smile mysteriously.

I suspect that what was actually in the envelopes changed over the years which is why no one could successfully pin it down. But the mystery thing made it catch hold of imaginations in a way that just giving people $1000 wouldn't have -- I'd bet there was at least some men who were approaching both retirement age and 30 years who hung on an extra year or so just to find out what was in the envelope.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:17 AM on August 14, 2013 [5 favorites]


Tools of their trade is def. the way to go with this. Do they use gloves or a tool belt of some variety? A high quality work shirt for year one maybe? Something like that (personalized for the individual) I think would be good for the earlier years. The boots sounds brilliant for a 5-10 year block. Things to make their truck more comfortable, things that make their job a little easier, things that visibly set them apart from the newbies (like the boots) is good I think.


I also think having some sort of visual recognition for the long term employees (photos on the wall sort of thing) can mean a lot for some people. Depends on the group, but some people consider that a really nice gesture. Or maybe some sort of decal to go on their truck for every year of service, with special decals for the big anniversaries (5,10,15,20, etc).



Also, I would ASK YOUR EMPLOYEES what kinds of things they would appreciate. They may have really great suggestions that you never even considered.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 6:22 AM on August 14, 2013 [2 favorites]


I've been on a few different recognition committees at my current company and I just want to put in that the outsourced companies that coordinate this for you (on large scale, I'm talking hundreds of people each year) - their rewards aren't that nice. I've had people complain that watches stopped working within weeks, jewelry falling apart, luggage not making it through a vacation. We've switched across companies a few times as well, and just can't hit on a place with good quality rewards.

So if you have the luxury of going outside of the box and managing this yourself, with consistent quality items, I'd highly recommend it. It makes me sad that we're offering out catalogues of crap, simply based on volume, and that they (the recognition companies) make a huge profit off of us.

Also, the above mentioned dinners - we do that too - both lunches or dinners based on the specific thing we're recognizing. For the dinners, spouses are included, not for the lunches (recognizing years versus specific merit) and they're both really popular. That's in addition to gifts, not in replacement of.
posted by librarianamy at 6:22 AM on August 14, 2013 [7 favorites]


My father's company made sure that any one eligible to receive a gift had the option to convert that gift into a gift to their spouse.

Annnnnnd that is why my Mom rocks a Rolex.
posted by lstanley at 6:53 AM on August 14, 2013 [9 favorites]


I would be careful about giving out high-quality tools of the trade that they're actually going to be expected to use on the job, for a couple of reasons:
  1. "Oh, great, a widget that would have made the last [5/10/20] years so much easier." (and of course, all the junior people think, "How come we don't all get that so we can do our jobs better?")
  2. "I'd love to have this on my workbench at home, but I guess it's just for work..."
Go with either leisure items (which can include tools, but make it clear that you don't expect them to use them on the job) or visible perks (e.g., satellite radio in the company truck).
posted by Etrigan at 7:04 AM on August 14, 2013 [1 favorite]


Make whatever it is high quality - the price won't be very different, but if you want to promote longevity, then you should give things that will last the rest of their lives, don't be tempted by bulk tchotchkes from china. For instance, real Zippo lighters only costs $12-50, depending on customization. Some other ideas - Swiss army knives (I recommend this one -scissors ballpoint pen LED white light blade nail file with screwdriver Bottle Opener with Magnetic Phillips Screwdriver wire stripper), Maglight flashlights and maybe some stuff to promote fun on their time off - Beer cooler, bbq grill, fishing rod?
posted by 445supermag at 7:12 AM on August 14, 2013 [1 favorite]


High quality flashlight, if that's the sort of equipment they're expected to provide on their own budget, such as Streamlight or Coast (Maglights are practically disposable these days). You can easily drop $100 or more on one, but they'll last 10 years or more of daily use.

Also, given the description of the business, I hope it doesn't literally explode. Please?
posted by drlith at 7:51 AM on August 14, 2013 [5 favorites]


High quality flashlight as suggested by drlith is fantastic idea. Electronics are good too! I know a lot of people who can't justify spending the money on an iPad or tablet, but if one came their way, they would love it and get good use out of it.

My father's company made sure that any one eligible to receive a gift had the option to convert that gift into a gift to their spouse.

Annnnnnd that is why my Mom rocks a Rolex.


This is key too. Our company gives out Christmas bonuses and a gift basket stuffed with fancy goodies. One year I suggested just giving them more money in lieu of baskets and the response was "the baskets are for the wives because they support us too, even if they aren't employed by us."
posted by futureisunwritten at 9:09 AM on August 14, 2013 [1 favorite]


Get four season tickets to the local sports team. Let the milestone employees have first choice of the schedule.

Pair of concert tickets to the music show of their choice.

Use of the company beachhouse? Or pay airfare/hotel towards a vacation for two?

If you're going to give out fancy tools or work-related equipment or a leather jacket or nice sunglasses, I'd do that for the first anniversary so they get maximum enjoyment from it.

Depends on the cast of characters, but some companies put satellite radio in each of the work vehicles. To be family-oriented, some places get blocks of passes to a nearby amusement park. Or even Costco/gym memberships that include the employee's household.
posted by 99percentfake at 9:24 PM on August 15, 2013


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