Celebrating Employee Milestones: Why a 10 Years of Service Award Matters
A 10 years of service award is a recognition given to employees who have reached a decade with an organization, honoring their loyalty, dedication, and contributions. If you're looking for quick ways to recognize this milestone, here are popular options:
- Personalized Plaques or Trophies
- Monetary Rewards or Gift Cards
- Experiential Gifts (travel vouchers or event tickets)
- Public Recognition Ceremonies
- Additional Time-Off or Sabbaticals
As Chase McKee RAS, Founder & CEO of Rocket Alumni Solutions, I've witnessed the profound impact a well-executed 10 years of service award can have on employee morale and retention. At Rocket Alumni Solutions, designing personalized milestone programs—including the 10 years of service award—has boosted employee engagement and strengthened organizational culture.
Understanding the Importance of the 10 Years of Service Award
In today's job market, people often hop from one role to another, exploring new opportunities and trips. That makes it even more special when someone dedicates a full decade of their career to a single organization. A 10 years of service award doesn't just celebrate time spent—it honors an employee’s loyalty, dedication, and meaningful contributions to your organization's growth and success.
Think about this for a moment: employees spend about one-third of their lives at work. (That's a lot of time spent sharing coffee and solving problems together!) Recognizing this significant commitment isn't just a nice gesture; it's vital and meaningful. As the saying goes:
"Employees spend one-third of their life at work. Rewarding them for their investment of time and effort drives performance and bolsters retention."
When someone reaches the 10-year milestone, they've done more than just turn pages on a calendar. They've become a valued resource with rich knowledge about your organization's inner workings. They've built strong relationships with teammates and clients, steerd organizational changes, embodied your company's culture, and demonstrated extraordinary loyalty in an age when job-switching is common.
Research supports the value of recognition, too. Employees who feel appreciated and recognized are actually 2.7 times more likely to stay highly engaged. At Rocket Alumni Solutions, we've experienced how recognizing milestones like the 10 years of service award can positively impact an entire organization. A thoughtful recognition program sends a clear message to everyone—especially newer employees—that dedication matters and is deeply appreciated.
Employees who hit the 10-year mark become sources of institutional wisdom and culture bearers, helping maintain stability through times of change. These seasoned teammates often step naturally into mentoring roles, sharing not only their skills but also the values and unique personality of the organization with newer folks.
In short, celebrating the 10-year milestone isn't merely about marking the passing of years. It's about acknowledging a meaningful investment, appreciating unwavering loyalty, and strengthening a culture of recognition and engagement that benefits everyone involved.
Benefits of Recognizing a Decade of Service
Taking the time to recognize employees who have reached a significant milestone—like the 10 years of service award—offers numerous benefits that extend far beyond just celebrating one individual. Let's explore some of the powerful advantages this recognition brings to your whole organization.
Boosting Morale
There's something special that happens when people feel genuinely appreciated. Celebrating an employee's decade-long dedication creates a wave of positivity that spreads quickly throughout your team. When others see their colleagues receiving heartfelt recognition, it lifts everyone's spirits and fosters a sense of pride and belonging.
In fact, research has shown that employees who feel recognized are 20 times more likely to be actively engaged at work. At Rocket Alumni Solutions, we've seen how meaningful recognition ceremonies and personalized awards create camaraderie and enthusiasm, turning workplaces into more connected and vibrant environments.
Reducing Turnover
A challenge organizations face today is employee turnover. Did you know that companies with strong recognition cultures experience 31% lower turnover than organizations that don't prioritize appreciation? What's more, replacing experienced team members can cost anywhere from 50% to 200% of their annual salary—not exactly chump change!
Here's a startling fact: nearly 80% of employees who leave their jobs say they did so because they didn't feel appreciated by their employers.
By introducing thoughtful 10 years of service awards, you're clearly communicating to your team that their loyalty matters. Employees who feel appreciated and valued tend to stick around, providing stability, institutional knowledge, and continuity—priceless assets for any business.
Reinforcing Company Values and Culture
A 10 years of service award isn't just about marking the calendar—it's an opportunity to highlight how employees embody your company's core values. When you celebrate milestone anniversaries, you reinforce the behaviors and attitudes you want to encourage across your organization.
At Rocket Alumni Solutions, we encourage organizations to tie these awards directly to their values. If innovation, teamwork, or integrity is central to your culture, use these awards to spotlight specific examples of how employees have put those values into practice. By doing so, you're not only celebrating the individual's contribution, you're also clearly signaling what's meaningful and important within your organization.
Enhancing Employee Engagement
Engaged employees are happier, more productive, and more likely to go the extra mile. And recognition is a significant driver of employee engagement. According to Gallup's research, recognized employees are almost four times more likely to feel strongly connected to their organization's culture and mission.
The 10 years of service award creates a perfect moment to pause and reflect on an employee's journey, contributions, and dedication. This reflection strengthens their emotional connection to the company, increases their sense of purpose, and helps them feel more deeply engaged with their work.
When implemented thoughtfully, milestone recognition like this creates a culture where employees genuinely care about their roles, their colleagues, and the organization's future.
How to Implement a Successful 10 Years of Service Award Program
Creating a successful 10 years of service award program isn't rocket science (although at Rocket Alumni Solutions, we do appreciate a good rocket pun). With thoughtful planning, clear objectives, and a dash of creativity, you can honor your long-term employees in a way that truly resonates.
1. Establish Clear Objectives
Before you jump into the fun stuff like picking awards and planning events, take a moment to clarify your goals. What do you hope to achieve with your 10 years of service award program? Are you aiming to boost employee morale, improve retention rates, strengthen company culture, or highlight your organization's values?
Knowing exactly why you're implementing the program helps shape every decision you make. At Rocket Alumni Solutions, we often help organizations define their objectives upfront so they're ready for success.
2. Create a Structured Framework
Next, you’ll need a clear structure for your program. Decide who qualifies for recognition—is eligibility based on employees' original hire dates or their adjusted service dates? Consider if you'll have different tiers of recognition (like 5, 10, or 15-year milestones) and determine when awards will be presented—on actual anniversaries or during annual ceremonies.
And let's talk budget: setting aside a clear budget allocation upfront ensures consistency and fairness. No one wants surprises—unless they're the fun kind, of course.
3. Design Meaningful Awards
Here's where your creativity can shine! Meaningful awards are those that connect personally with your recipient. Rather than handing out generic plaques to everyone, let your employees choose from several options or personalize the award based on their unique contributions over the years.
Combine tangible rewards (like personalized gifts or experiential treats) with genuine, intangible appreciation. For some, a heartfelt speech from their team leader might be just as valuable as the award itself—and for others, it might be that exotic travel voucher they've been dreaming about. (Hey, who doesn't like a beach getaway?)
4. Develop a Consistent Communication Plan
Great communication makes your 10 years of service award program memorable. Let everyone in your organization know about the program—no secrets here! Regularly remind managers of upcoming service anniversaries, and encourage them to share recognition stories across the company’s intranet, newsletters, or even social media channels.
Celebrating milestones publicly increases the visibility and impact of your program, fostering an ongoing culture of appreciation throughout the workplace.
5. Train Managers and Leaders
Managers play a key role in making recognition meaningful. Not every manager is a natural cheerleader (although pom-poms could help...), so provide training on why recognizing milestones matters, how awards should be presented with sincerity, and how to personalize the recognition experience. Give managers concrete examples of recognizing specific contributions, so they feel confident and comfortable when the big day arrives.
Engaging Leadership and Peers
Here's a pro tip we've learned at Rocket Alumni Solutions: recognition feels more special when leadership actively takes part. According to research, nearly half of employees value recognition from higher management even more than from their direct boss.
Involve senior leaders in award presentations, and have them share personal observations about the employee's growth and impact over the last decade. Better yet, invite the recipient’s colleagues into the celebration by encouraging them to share stories and memories. Capture these moments digitally so they linger in your company culture, reminding everyone that loyalty and dedication are truly valued.
Personalizing the Award Experience
Personalization transforms a good recognition experience into an unforgettable one. Research consistently shows that personalized awards have a much greater emotional impact.
Take the time to understand employee preferences. Some folks might crave the spotlight of public recognition ceremonies, while others will treasure a quiet, heartfelt thank-you. Highlight specific achievements and milestones they've accomplished over their decade-long journey, weaving their unique story into the celebration.
Align awards with personal interests. Is your employee passionate about travel, wellness, or cooking? Tailor the reward to their hobbies or life goals—maybe that's a cooking class with a top chef, a spa day, or extra vacation time to visit somewhere special.
At Rocket Alumni Solutions, we’ve helped create innovative digital recognition displays that beautifully showcase personalized employee journeys. These interactive displays combine photographs, testimonials, and highlights from their careers, creating a lasting tribute that everyone can enjoy.
For more on creating effective recognition programs, check out our detailed guide on Employee Recognition Programs.
Creative Ideas for 10 Years of Service Awards
Celebrating an employee's decade-long dedication deserves something special. Moving beyond standard plaques and watches can transform a 10 years of service award into a truly unforgettable experience. If you're looking to surprise and delight your employees, here are some creative and meaningful ideas to inspire your recognition program.
Personalized Gifts
Nothing says "we appreciate you" like a gift custom specifically to your employee. Consider presenting them with a custom crystal or glass award engraved with their name, anniversary date, and a heartfelt message. Another classic, meaningful token could be an engraved timepiece, symbolizing the time they've diligently invested in your organization.
For something truly unique, think about commissioning a piece of custom artwork that captures their personality or highlights their journey with your company. Alternatively, a custom-bound book filled with photos, memorable moments, and thoughtful messages from colleagues is a touching keepsake they'll cherish for years to come.
Tech-savvy employees might appreciate personalized high-quality headphones or smartwatches engraved with a special note. Or perhaps they'll proudly show off premium-quality, company-branded jackets, luggage, or accessories, reinforcing their sense of pride and connection to the organization.
At Rocket Alumni Solutions, we've also seen wonderful results when companies combine physical gifts with personalized digital displays. Showcasing an employee’s journey through interactive presentations brings an emotional and memorable dimension to milestone celebrations.
Experiential Rewards
Sometimes the best gift is one that creates lasting memories. Offering travel vouchers allows employees to plan their dream getaway on their own terms—whether it’s an exotic vacation or a peaceful retreat. For those who crave relaxation, a luxurious spa or wellness retreat might be just the ticket to recharge.
If you’re aiming for something truly unique, think about unforgettable experiences like a hot air balloon ride, tickets to a big game, concert, or show that matches their interests, or a gourmet dining experience at a prestigious restaurant.
Another exciting option is signing them up for a master class custom to their passions, whether cooking, photography, or something else entirely. One organization we worked with created a "Decade of Findy" package—employees could select from various experiences to enjoy with their families, making their 10-year milestone even more meaningful.
Public Recognition Ceremonies
Recognizing an employee publicly amplifies the impact of your appreciation. A heartfelt formal award ceremony where leadership personally presents the award can make employees feel genuinely valued. Celebrate their accomplishments by organizing a lively work anniversary party, inviting colleagues, friends, and family to join in the festivities.
Consider creating a memorable video tribute featuring heartfelt messages from coworkers, clients, and leadership, or highlighting important milestones from their career journey. Sharing these videos at the event (or across your organization’s platforms) is an engaging way to celebrate their contributions.
Showcasing the employee’s story on your company’s intranet, newsletter, or social media is another excellent way to publicly honor their dedication. Rocket Alumni Solutions' digital displays provide interactive, shareable formats perfect for commemorating these special milestones within your organization.
Additional Time Off or Sabbaticals
After 10 years of hard work, offering extra time off can communicate genuine gratitude. Providing additional vacation days to their annual allowance, or even a sabbatical leave (two to four weeks) for personal interests or relaxation, shows you care about their work-life balance.
You might also consider offering flexible work arrangements or "dream days"—days dedicated to passion projects or personal enrichment, allowing employees to recharge and refocus. Some organizations provide extended holiday breaks or even dedicated time off for volunteering, empowering employees to connect with causes they deeply value.
We've worked with an organization that offered a "Decade Dividend," giving 10-year employees an extra week of vacation, plus five flexible days, to use however they wished. Trust us, this was a hit!
Professional Development Opportunities
Investing in an employee's growth not only acknowledges their past contributions but also demonstrates your commitment to their future. Sponsor their participation in executive education programs at respected institutions or professional certification courses relevant to their role.
Consider providing opportunities such as attending industry conferences with VIP access, receiving mentorship from senior leaders, or joining prestigious industry associations. Customized learning experiences custom to their career aspirations can truly improve their professional journey.
When employees see your willingness to invest in their ongoing development, it strengthens their connection to your organization and inspires loyalty for years to come.
Recognizing a decade of service thoughtfully—and creatively—can positively impact not just the celebrated employee but your entire team. With a bit of imagination, sincerity, and warmth, your organization's 10 years of service award can become an inspiring celebration of dedication, loyalty, and long-term commitment.
Making the 10 Years of Service Award Meaningful
The difference between a forgettable token and a truly meaningful 10 years of service award comes down to how heartfelt and sincere the recognition feels. To resonate deeply with employees, the award should highlight their unique contributions, reflect genuine appreciation, and align closely with your company's values.
Connect Recognition to Specific Contributions
Generic thank-yous might seem quick and easy, but they rarely leave a lasting impression. Instead, be specific about what makes the employee special. Highlight particular projects they've successfully led, challenges they've helped overcome, or ways they've grown over the past decade.
For example, instead of saying, "Thanks for your 10 years," you might say, "Your leadership in the recent customer service overhaul has transformed our customer relationships." This specificity shows genuine recognition, helping the employee feel truly seen and appreciated.
Involve Multiple Perspectives
Recognition means even more when it comes from a variety of voices—not just management, but also colleagues, clients, and other teams. Reach out to people who've worked closely with the employee and gather their stories, compliments, and memories.
At Rocket Alumni Solutions, we've seen how powerful it is to include diverse viewpoints. Imagine receiving an award accompanied by heartfelt messages from your closest coworkers, a grateful client you've helped repeatedly, and a respected company leader. This combination of perspectives creates a richer, more personal celebration of an employee’s journey.
Add Personal Touches
Small gestures can have a big impact. Consider including a handwritten note with your 10-year service awards. Research shows that an impressive seventy-six percent of people hold onto these handwritten notes—often cherishing them more than the official award itself.
You can also include references to shared experiences, inside jokes, or personal milestones the employee reached during their tenure. Highlighting these personal touches shows that you genuinely care—not just about their work, but about them as a whole person.
Tie Awards to Company Values and Culture
When you clearly connect the employee’s contributions to your company's core values, recognition becomes much more meaningful. Highlight moments when the employee demonstrated those values in action, whether through teamwork, innovation, customer care, or resilience.
For example, if your company values innovation, you might say, "Your creativity in developing the new client onboarding system perfectly embodies our commitment to innovation." Celebrating these concrete examples reinforces your organizational culture and highlights the employee’s essential role within it.
Create a Narrative
Rather than simply marking the passing of 10 years, tell a story about the employee’s journey with your organization. Reflect on how both the individual and your company have grown over that decade. Highlight major milestones and moments when the employee’s contributions directly shaped your organization's success.
You can even express excitement for their future contributions—after all, a "10 years of service award" isn’t just about past accomplishments, but about celebrating their ongoing role in your organization's story.
Foster a Culture of Recognition
Finally, to make the 10 years of service award truly powerful, it should exist within a larger culture of appreciation. Recognition shouldn't be something that happens once per decade—it should be ongoing, consistent, and authentic.
Encourage peer-to-peer recognition, celebrate small wins, and make appreciation a natural part of your everyday workplace culture. Digital recognition platforms, like those we provide at Rocket Alumni Solutions, are excellent tools to help companies create a visible, shareable, and continuous recognition experience. (Learn more about fostering recognition culture in A Better Way to Recognize Your Employees.)
When you thoughtfully personalize each recognition moment, tie it meaningfully to your company's values, and foster a broader culture of appreciation, your 10 years of service award will become a memorable milestone—one that employees cherish for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions about 10 Years of Service Awards
What is a 10 Years of Service Award?
A 10 years of service award is a special way for organizations to recognize employees who've been part of their team for a full decade. It celebrates their loyalty, dedication, and the meaningful contributions they've made in that time. Typically, these awards include both tangible rewards (such as personalized plaques, unique gifts, or monetary bonuses) and intangible acknowledgments (like public ceremonies or heartfelt recognition from company leadership).
But the true purpose goes beyond just marking the calendar. At Rocket Alumni Solutions, we've learned that a decade-long journey is about much more than time served. It's a story of professional growth, lasting relationships, and shared successes. It recognizes employees who have become cultural pillars and invaluable resources, bringing continuity and experience to their workplaces.
Reaching that 10-year milestone is especially noteworthy today, as average employment duration continues to shrink. Employees who stay a decade not only demonstrate extraordinary loyalty but also hold a deep reservoir of organizational knowledge—which is a priceless asset to any team.
Why are 10 Years of Service Awards Important?
Recognizing team members who reach the 10-year mark has significant impacts on your organization. First, it's a powerful boost for employee morale and motivation. When your team sees their peers honored for long-term dedication, it conveys a clear message: "We value you and acknowledge your contributions." Research shows that employees expecting recognition are 2.7 times more likely to be highly engaged at work.
Celebrating milestones also positively impacts employee retention and reduces turnover. Organizations with strong recognition programs see an incredible 31% reduction in turnover compared to those with weak recognition practices. Attracting and keeping talent is tough in today's hiring climate; meaningful 10 years of service awards signal clearly that your workplace values loyalty and long-term commitment.
These awards also help sustain and reinforce your company culture and values. Publicly recognizing employees who embody your organization's principles sets an inspiring example for newer team members. It reminds everyone of the values that guide your company and encourages continued alignment with those ideals.
Additionally, honoring a decade of service helps with knowledge preservation. Employees with 10+ years in one place carry invaluable insights, institutional memory, and relationships. Acknowledging their contributions not only expresses gratitude but encourages knowledge-sharing with newer colleagues.
Finally, publicly acknowledging employees' long-term commitments gives your company a competitive advantage. When potential candidates see an organization that truly celebrates loyalty and dedication, they're drawn to that positive environment and engaged culture.
How Can We Personalize 10 Years of Service Awards?
A personalized approach turns any 10 years of service award from standard recognition into deeply meaningful appreciation. After all, no two employees are exactly alike—so why should their recognition be generic?
The first step in personalizing awards involves genuinely understanding your employees. Talk to them, survey their preferences, or just pay attention to what really matters to them. Some team members adore public recognition and flourish during celebrations; others prefer quiet acknowledgment. Knowing their style makes the award meaningful and comfortable for the individual.
Another powerful way to personalize the experience is by highlighting specific contributions they've made. Instead of just saying "thanks for ten years," talk about memorable projects they've led, difficult challenges they've overcome, or impactful moments they've brought to the workplace. Gather stories from colleagues about their impact, and if you can, back it up with measurable outcomes or milestones they've achieved.
Make the recognition ceremony itself meaningful and custom to the employee. Consider involving significant people in their journey—mentors, colleagues from different departments, or even family members. Keep cultural backgrounds and personal preferences in mind. Some employees may appreciate a grand surprise party, while others prefer a small, intimate gathering with close colleagues.
Offering choices is another fantastic personalization approach. Instead of deciding for your employee, let them select from several meaningful options. Maybe they'd love a special experience, like a weekend getaway or spa retreat. Perhaps they'd prefer professional development opportunities such as courses or mentorship sessions. Or, they might value additional time off or sabbatical leave to recharge. Some may even appreciate having the organization make a charitable donation to a cause close to their heart.
Finally, tie the recognition directly to their personal journey. Include a narrative about their growth and evolution within the company. Talk about how they've helped shape the business, contributed to its success, and grown personally and professionally along the way.
At Rocket Alumni Solutions, we've helped many organizations implement personalized digital recognition platforms. These create rich, multimedia tributes highlighting employee journeys through stories, photos, and heartfelt testimonials. It's one more way technology can make this milestone even more unforgettable.
Conclusion
Celebrating an employee's ten-year milestone with a meaningful 10 years of service award is much more than just checking off a box. It’s a thoughtful investment in your organization’s culture, employee retention, and long-term success. Over the course of this guide, we’ve seen how recognizing a decade of dedication is a powerful way to acknowledge the significant personal and professional commitment your employees have made.
At Rocket Alumni Solutions, we’ve had the privilege of seeing how genuinely thoughtful recognition can transform workplaces. Companies that actively celebrate employee milestones find their teams become more engaged, turnover rates drop, and workplace culture grows stronger and more vibrant. The secret ingredient? Making sure each recognition experience feels personal, authentic, and aligned with your company’s core values.
The most unforgettable 10 years of service awards aren’t simply markers of time—they celebrate each employee’s unique experiences, contributions, and growth within your organization. Whether you choose personalized gifts, experiential rewards, public celebrations, extra time off, or professional development—your ultimate goal is ensuring employees genuinely feel seen, valued, and appreciated for their loyalty.
As you build or improve your service award program, think about how digital solutions can boost and complement your efforts. At Rocket Alumni Solutions, we specialize in customizable digital displays that beautifully capture employee achievements and milestones. Our interactive, tech-friendly content—such as animated flip books and digital yearbooks—makes recognition fun, shareable, and memorable across teams and communities.
The investment you make in recognizing long-term employees pays off far beyond the cost of awards themselves. By celebrating dedication and loyalty, you're creating a workplace culture where employees feel proud, motivated, and inspired to put forward their best efforts year after year.
We encourage you to view the 10 years of service award not as just a single event, but as part of a bigger, ongoing recognition strategy. When employees see that their loyalty and effort will consistently be acknowledged, they'll begin to envision a lasting career with your organization—sparking a positive cycle of commitment, engagement, and shared success.
Ready to take your employee recognition to the next level? Explore how Rocket Alumni Solutions’ innovative employee recognition solutions can help you create powerful, personalized recognition experiences that truly resonate.
