{"id":124,"date":"2025-07-21T10:20:37","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T17:20:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/experience\/?page_id=124"},"modified":"2025-08-26T15:20:32","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T22:20:32","slug":"recognizing-service-milestones","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/experience\/recognition\/recognizing-service-milestones\/","title":{"rendered":"Recognizing service milestones\u202f"},"content":{"rendered":"

Work anniversaries are important. Every milestone tells a story. Whether it\u2019s a staff member\u2019s first year or their 25th, each work anniversary represents dedication, growth and meaningful contributions to the UW community.<\/p>\n

UWHR administers the UW Service Recognition Program to recognize all regular staff for their continuous years of dedicated service to the University. We encourage you to recognize staff at 1 and 3-year milestones and then starting in year five, staff also may chose to receive a service award for\u202ftheir continuous service (e.g., 5, 10, 15-year milestones).<\/p>\n

The UW Service Award Program is not impacted by the spending pause put into effect in March 2025<\/a>. All gifts and delivery logistics for 5+ year milestones are centrally funded. For other types of recognition, please review university spending guidance.<\/p>\n

Who is eligible?<\/h4>\n

All regular staff who are in active service on their company service anniversary date as listed in Workday are eligible. The program measures continuous employment from the \u201cHire Date.\u201d The Hire Date is the most recent date of hire into continuous UW service in a regular staff position. Periods of academic, student, or intermittent and non-permanent employment are not included in calculating your years of continuous employment.<\/p>\n

Time on layoff is not deducted as long as the employee remains on the layoff list until rehired by the University. Employees rehired by the University after their removal from a layoff list do not have time on layoff counted towards service recognition milestones and their company service date is reset.<\/p>\n

Employees on a leave of absence during their company service anniversary will still receive their selected award from their department upon return to work.<\/p>\n

Manager\u2019s role in recognizing service anniversaries<\/h4>\n

Celebrating milestones should be easy, consistent and authentic. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve created ideas and templates to support you in honoring the people who make UW extraordinary.<\/p>\n

Managers and HR partners can run the R0441 Service Award Date by Organization<\/a> in Workday. While gifts don\u2019t start until year five, we strongly encourage managers to recognize service anniversaries at year 1 and 3.<\/p>\n

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1 year down, many more to go!<\/i><\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
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The first year at the University of Washington is more than just an anniversary\u2014it\u2019s a meaningful moment to pause and celebrate growth, connection, and commitment. For many employees, reaching the one-year mark represents a full cycle of learning the culture, contributing to their team and finding their place in the UW community.<\/p>\n

As a manager, your recognition of this milestone can leave a lasting impression. It doesn\u2019t have to be elaborate to be impactful\u2014a simple note, a thoughtful message, or a quick moment of acknowledgment can make someone feel seen, appreciated and motivated to continue growing at the UW.<\/p>\n

Milestone certificate (fillable PDF)<\/strong><\/p>\n