As a team leader, business owner, or HR professional, you know that employee engagement and retention go hand-in-hand. While there are a million and one strategies for improving both, one of the simplest approaches lives in your company calendar: your employee’s birthday.
Employee recognition is one of the first steps to a healthier, more engaged workplace. So even though it may seem simple, thoughtful birthday wishes for employees can lead to higher-performing teams, increased employee productivity and job satisfaction, improved employee well-being, and less workplace burnout.
Read on to learn how happy birthday wishes can contribute to a positive company culture and check out our top 50 examples of birthday wishes for employees.
Sending a birthday wish to an employee may seem like a simple gesture, but it has the potential to make a huge impact on your employee’s engagement at work. Why, exactly? Because taking the time to acknowledge and celebrate the birthday of a team member helps to enhance their sense of belonging at your company. Plus, it has the potential to boost overall morale.
So while it may seem like no big deal to send a birthday wish, simple birthday wishes demonstrate that your organization recognizes and values its team members beyond their professional contributions, leading to a more supportive and inclusive work environment. Ultimately, this simple gesture can transform a typical workday into a more engaging and positive experience, reinforcing your employee’s connection to the company.
Innovative HR software like Applauz makes it easy and fun for companies to celebrate milestones and enhance employee engagement with recognition tools and incentive features, plus employee analytics and pulse surveys to help you measure overall employee engagement.
Something as simple as a birthday wish to an employee can easily contribute to higher employee engagement — and the benefits of employee engagement are substantial. For example, increased employee engagement contributes to higher-performing teams, improved employee productivity and job satisfaction, lower workplace stress, a better work-life balance, and generally healthier employees. Not to mention that improved employee engagement has the potential to increase your company’s revenue and profitability exponentially. According to a Gallup report, highly engaged business units result in a whopping 23% increase in profitability.
Now, let's dig into some important benefits of employee engagement.
Whether it’s a thoughtful birthday message sent by email, a physical card, or a public post seen by the entire company on your organization's social newsfeed, wishing your employees a happy birthday reminds the team that they’re more than just workers, they are valued members of your team that have important milestones to celebrate beyond workplace milestones. Plus, celebrating someone an exciting break in an otherwise very normal day at work.
A healthy team morale is more important than ever as employee engagement has been on a notable decline — according to Gallup’s recent report only 23% of employees were engaged in 2023, down from 36% engaged in 2020.
By showing personal appreciation and thoughtfulness, sending a birthday message can help strengthen employee relationships. Even better if you can host a small lunch or break celebration! Ultimately, it fosters a sense of recognition and connection, reminding employees that they are valued not just for their work, but as individuals.
This small gesture can build rapport, improve morale, and encourage a positive workplace culture, ultimately enhancing collaboration and teamwork. It may seem like a simple act of kindness, but birthday wishes have a strong potential to contribute to healthier bonds and a more engaged workforce.
Sending a birthday message promotes a positive workplace environment by reinforcing employee recognition and appreciation. When employees feel valued for who they are, not just their work, it a boost in morale and sense of belonging soon follows. Plus, consistent recognition, such as birthday wishes, contributes to a supportive and engaging culture.
Now, for what you've been waiting for: our guide to crafting the best birthday message that will leave employees feel appreciated. If you’re feeling stumped on how to express your birthday wishes, we’ve included 50 examples of personalized messages below based on tone, workplace culture, and the recipient.
Before we launch into some examples of birthday wishes for employees, let’s talk about the different types of tones you can use in employee birthday messages.
Professional: This tone tends to relate more formal birthday wishes, however, no matter what tone you use, birthday wishes for employees should be professional, yet personal and sincere.
Funny: Funny birthday wishes can be a great way to add some humor and personality to the message.
Heartfelt: To really pull on your employee's heartstrings, you can send a message in a heartfelt birthday tone to express your appreciation and gratitude.
Respectful: The tone of a birthday wish should always be respectful and considerate of the employee’s feelings and preferences.
Thoughtful: Like a heartfelt message, thoughtful birthday wishes are extra personal and can be a great way to show appreciation and recognition to employees.
We've found that most leaders intuitively know which tone is best for their team. Consider your company's overall culture and your employee's preferred communication style when you're deciding what kind of message to write for your employee's special day.
If you’re unsure how to best express a birthday wish to an employee, then it’s a good idea to simply keep it professional. Birthday wishes for employees written in a professional tone allow you to acknowledge and appreciate your employees respectfully. By avoiding overly personal language, you can ensure sensitivity to individual preferences while also expressing genuine recognition.
Remember that you can use the below examples as inspiration, but remember to personalize it! Start with incorporating your employee's name.
Here are ten examples:
"Wishing you a very happy birthday and a fantastic year ahead. Thank you for being such an integral part of our team."
"Happy birthday! May this day be the start of a prosperous and fulfilling year. Thank you for all your efforts."
"Wishing you a great birthday and a wonderful year ahead! Your dedication and hard work inspire us all, and we’re excited to see what the next year brings."
"Happy birthday! May this special day bring you joy, and the year ahead be filled with continued accomplishments and growth."
"Best wishes on your birthday! You are a fantastic person and your contributions to the company are truly valued, and we look forward to celebrating more milestones with you."
"Happy birthday! We are grateful for your hard work and dedication. Cheers to another fantastic year ahead!"
"Happy birthday! Your professionalism and commitment are greatly appreciated. May this year bring you both personal and professional success."
"Warmest birthday wishes to you! You are a valued employee and we look forward to another year of collaboration and achievement."
"Happy birthday! Your role in the team is greatly appreciated, and we hope the year ahead is filled with happiness and accomplishments."
"Wishing you a wonderful birthday and a year filled with success and personal fulfillment. We appreciate all that you do for the team!"
Bring a guaranteed smile to your employee’s face! Sending birthday wishes written in a funny tone can add a lighthearted touch to your employee’s special day.
Keep in mind, though, that without an established humorous rapport, funny birthday wishes might feel awkward or out of place. Use your best judgment! If it feels appropriate, these types of happy birthday messages have the potential to show that you value your relationship with your employees and are comfortable enough to share humor, ultimately creating a more personalized and enjoyable recognition.
Here are ten examples:
"Happy birthday! We were going to light all the candles, but we didn't want to set off the office fire alarm!"
"Happy birthday! May your day be filled with cake, laughter, and zero work-related surprises!"
"Happy birthday! May your inbox be empty and your cake fully loaded with icing."
"Sending you birthday wishes! We're giving you the gift of no deadlines — you're welcome!"
"Wishing you a fantastic birthday! Don’t worry, we won’t ask how old you are — just how many slices of cake you want."
"Happy birthday to an amazing person! You’re so awesome, we’re starting to think you might have superpowers. Hope your day is filled with cake and a trusty sidekick to do all the work for you!"
"Happy birthday! May your day be as smooth as a perfectly executed stand-up meeting — but twice as fun!"
"Happy birthday! Here’s to another year of excellence — and hopefully fewer 'reply all' emails."
“Happy birthday! May this year bring you as much success as coffee brings to Monday mornings."
A heartfelt happy birthday message can profoundly impact an employee. After all, who doesn't want a message that shows genuine appreciation and acknowledgement of their contributions? Take the below ideas as inspiration and, to make it as heartfelt as possible, be sure to personalize it to the special someone.
The best part? This kind of message is an effective way to foster a sense of value and belonging. These types of employee birthday wishes demonstrate that their efforts are noticed and celebrated.
Here are some examples:
"Happy birthday! Your dedication and hard work truly make a difference in our team. Wishing you a year filled with joy and fulfillment."
"Happy birthday! Your hard work and dedication don’t go unnoticed. We are lucky to have you on our team, and we hope your day is as special as you are."
"Wishing you a wonderful birthday! Your contributions and positive attitude are deeply appreciated, and we’re so grateful to have you on our team."
"Happy birthday! Your commitment and passion for your work inspire us all. May this special day bring you happiness and everything you’ve been hoping for."
"On your birthday, I want to express how much your efforts and enthusiasm mean to us. Here’s to a year ahead filled with success and joy."
"Wishing you a very happy birthday! Your positive energy and dedication make a significant impact, and we’re grateful for all that you do."
"Happy birthday! Your contributions to our team are invaluable, and we appreciate your hard work and commitment. May your year be filled with great achievements and happiness."
"On your special day, I want to thank you for your incredible work and dedication. Wishing you a birthday as fantastic as you are and a year full of success and joy."
"Happy birthday! Your passion and commitment are truly inspiring, and we’re so grateful to have you on our team. Enjoy your special day and the year ahead!"
"Wishing you a fantastic birthday! Your hard work and positive attitude make a big difference, and we hope your day is filled with joy and well-deserved celebration."
Short and formal happy birthday messages are effective for showing appreciation as they convey respect and professionalism while acknowledging the employee's hard work. This approach maintains good professional etiquette while ensuring that recognition is both sincere and appropriate for the workplace environment.
With these, just remember that it's especially important to tailor the message to the recipient so that it doesn't come across as insincere!
Here are some examples:
"Happy birthday! Your contributions are greatly appreciated. Wishing you a successful year ahead."
"Best wishes on your birthday. Your hard work and dedication are valued. Have a great day."
"Happy birthday! Thank you for your continued excellence and commitment. Enjoy your special day."
"Wishing you a very happy birthday. Your professionalism and contributions are sincerely appreciated."
"Happy birthday! Your efforts and dedication are recognized and valued. Have a wonderful day."
"Best regards and warmest wishes on your birthday. We appreciate your hard work and wish you another year of success."
"Happy birthday! Your contributions to our team are valued. May your day be enjoyable and fulfilling."
"Wishing you a pleasant birthday. Your dedication and professionalism are greatly appreciated."
"Happy birthday! Thank you for your outstanding work and commitment. Wishing you all the happiness on your special day."
"Warm wishes on your special day. Your hard work and dedication are recognized and valued. Enjoy your birthday."
So, you forgot your employee’s birthday? Don’t worry, it happens! Luckily, belated happy birthday wishes can still effectively convey appreciation and recognition by acknowledging your employee's special day, even if it was missed initially. This thoughtful gesture shows that their contributions are valued and that their birthday celebration was important enough to warrant attention, even if it happens to be belated.
Here are some examples:
"I’m sorry I missed your birthday! I hope it was wonderful, and I wanted to let you know how much we value your hard work and dedication. Belated happy birthday!"
"Happy belated birthday! Thank you for all your contributions to our team. I hope you had a happy and relaxing birthday!"
"I wanted to wish you a very happy belated birthday, even if its a bit delayed! Your efforts and dedication are greatly appreciated."
"I hope you had a fantastic birthday! Sorry for missing it, but I wanted to send you my belated warm wishes and gratitude for your hard work."
"Happy belated birthday! I’m sorry I couldn’t reach you on your special day, but I want you to know how much we appreciate all that you do."
"My apologies for the late wishes, but I hope you had a memorable birthday! Your commitment to our team is truly valued."
"Belated happy birthday! We hope you had a fantastic celebration. Your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed, and the team appreciates all you do."
"Sorry for missing your birthday! I hope it was a great one. I want to express my warmest wishes and my gratitude for your continued contributions to our team."
"Happy belated birthday! I hope your day was filled with joy and celebration. Thank you for your hard work and dedication."
"We can't believe we missed your birthday! We want you to know how much we value your contributions and we hope you had a great birthday. Warm wishes for the year ahead!"
Another great way to show appreciation and recognition to employees is to go above and beyond birthday wishes and present them with a gift. There are plenty of gifts for employees to choose from, no matter what your budget is. Whether it’s a personal or more general birthday gift, a gift exchange can create a sense of community and belonging among employees.
Here are some examples:
Office desk accessories: Items like engraved pens, a pen stand, custom mouse pads, or nameplates can add a personal touch to your employee’s workspace.
Gift Cards: Everybody loves a gift card! Gift cards to popular retailers, restaurants, or online stores offer flexibility and allow your employees to choose what they like.
Discount codes: If you’re an employer at an e-commerce company or any type of business that sells a product, you can consider offering your employees a discount or coupon code for their birthday.
Subscription services: Gifting subscriptions to professional journals, online learning platforms, or streaming services can be a great way to show your long-term appreciation for an employee.
High-quality notebooks or planners: Elegant and functional, this gift can be useful to your employees for both work and personal use.
Wellness items: Gifts like a high-quality water bottle, travel mug, or relaxing candles can support your employee's overall well-being at or outside of work.
When it comes to sending your employees birthday wishes, you’ll have to decide on your mode of delivery. You can send your employee a "Happy Birthday" by email or Slack, with a physical card, or in person.
Want to get more creative ways about how you send your employees happy birthday wishes? Here are some examples:
Company-wide announcements: In addition to sending your employee a personal message, you can consider sending out a company-wide announcement that publicly acknowledges their special day and your gratitude for them.
Personalized cards or ecards: Whether it’s a handwritten physical card that you leave on their desk or an animated e-card sent to their inbox, this method of delivery shows that your employees that you care about them enough to go the extra distance.
Birthday shout-out during team meetings: Surprising your employee by acknowledging it’s their birthday at the beginning of a team meeting is a great way of showing them you care.
Small team celebrations: If you really want to make your employees feel special, you can consider organizing a small team celebration like a lunch outing or drinks after work.
Employee recognition tool: Post a birthday celebration post on the Newsfeed of a workplace social platform like Applauz, where other employees can quickly and easily send their birthday wishes. Applauz has a built-in virtual reward currency program for participating in company recognition, which acts as an extra incentive for your team to express their birthday wishes as well. Plus, with Applauz you can automate personalized celebration posts so you never miss an employee’s birthday.
When working for a remote company, employees may be spread across various states, countries, or even continents. If you can’t celebrate an employee’s birthday in person, it becomes even more crucial to recognize them virtually. If you have the time and foresight to do so, a birthday celebration is made even more impactful for remote employees when you send them something physical to their home.
Sending birthday wishes to remote employees helps foster a sense of community and belonging. Fortunately, platforms like Applauz provide a virtual space where teams can come together to celebrate and connect.
Measuring the success of birthday wishes can help evaluate the impact of employee recognition efforts. Tracking employee feedback, engagement levels, and overall morale before and after you implement birthday celebrations provides valuable insights into how these gestures contribute to a positive workplace culture.
Using tools like employee surveys on HR platforms, such as Applauz, allow you to keep track of employee messages and reactions, alongside other employee analytics to help gauge the effectiveness of these initiatives. For example, consistently positive responses can indicate that birthday wishes and celebrations are enhancing employee satisfaction and fostering a more engaged, motivated workforce.
Crafting a birthday message for your employees may seem like a simple gesture, but a birthday wish can have a lasting impact on overall employee well-being and engagement. With Applauz, you can easily automate employee birthday wishes and even customize messages per employee.
At the end of the day, your goal should be to improve employee engagement so you can retain your excellent talent. Some of the best ways to do this are to recognize your employees, express your gratitude for their contributions to the company, track their performance, and reward their results.
There's no easier way to recognize your employee than to celebrate them on their special day!
Recognize your employees today to retain talent for tomorrow. Customize and automate birthday wishes for employees with Applauz.