Just because an employee is retiring and will not be working for your company anymore, there is no reason why you should ignore their contribution to your business over the years. Instead, you should show your gratitude and prove to your other employees how much you value them by planning a party for the employee who is retiring. Here is a guide to help you to do this successfully.
Find the Perfect Venue
The first step that you need to take is to find the perfect venue. This venue should be close to your place of work to make it easy for your employees to travel to, especially if they all live in different areas. You should also find a venue that is spacious, and that can allow your employees to live it up a little and enjoy a unique experience. For instance, you might look around for venues that offer private parties in historic locations. This can give your employees the chance to relax and celebrate the work of a favored employee in the middle of luxury. However, you should always try to make each retirement party as special as the next – you don’t want to spend lavishly on one while another gets nothing. This would be very bad for employee morale.
Choose the Right Date
When you are planning a party for a retiring employee, you also need to make sure that you choose the right date. For instance, you should not pick a date that is too close to important deadlines, as this might leave your employees unable to attend, or they might not end up enjoying the party as much as they should. It is also important to decide on a date that is close to the retirement of this employee. If the party is too far away from their retirement, the event may lose meaning, and you might find that your employees have forgotten all about the retirement by the time the person actually leaves. In terms of retirement party etiquette, you should also inform your employees of this date early so that they do not make alternative plans that prevent them from attending.
Invite Their Friends and Colleagues
You should also make sure that the party is filled to bursting with the people who love your employee the most. As well as their colleagues, you should consider inviting their family and friends from outside the firm, certainly extending an invite to their partner. This can allow them to be the center of attention and ensure that everyone that is important to them can participate in celebrating their retirement. This can boost the enjoyment of your employee, help them to feel more comfortable, and make it feel more like a party.
Check It’s What They Want
However, there is no point in planning a party for them or writing a speech if they are unlikely to enjoy a moment of it. This means that you should check whether they would be happy with a party before you make any arrangements and that you do not suddenly spring it on them. You should talk explicitly about the ideas that you have for the party and give them the chance to contribute ideas to the occasion. This can allow you to create a party that will suit them and their passions, rather than a party that they will spend in a corner, longing for it to end. You might also consider hosting a party that is personal to them, such as going to a unique location or even simply going for a meal instead of having a disco if they would prefer this type of social event.
