60+ Birthday Messages for Employees to Show Your Appreciation

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Plus, the importance of sending your colleague a birthday wish!

Co-authored by Jeffrey Fermin and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: January 20, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Heartfelt
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• Short
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• Professional
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• Funny
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• Birthday Quotes
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• Crafting Birthday Messages
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• Benefits of Sending Birthday Wishes
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• FAQs

|Show more |Show less

Looking for a short, funny, or thoughtful message to wish your employee a happy birthday? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’re providing the ultimate list of birthday wishes to strengthen your relationship and boost morale in the workplace. We’re also providing helpful tips to make your message more personal, plus the reasons why you should wish your employee a happy birthday.

Birthday Wishes & Quotes for Employees

• Happy one year closer to retirement!
• Happy birthday to the MVP of the office.
• May your birthday be as marvelous as you are!
• Wishing you a memorable, meeting-free birthday!
• The office wouldn’t be the same without you. HBD!
• No one could do this job better than you. Thanks for all you do!
• “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” —George Eliot

Steps

Section 1 of 8:

Heartfelt Birthday Wishes for Employees

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1. 
   Wish them good health and happiness to put a smile on their face. If you’re close to your employee, spend time crafting a sincere message that comes from your heart. You might mention that they’re your favorite person to see in the workplace, or list a few things that you hope they receive in the upcoming year. Just be sure to maintain a warm yet professional tone.

   • Many blessings to the best employee I could’ve ever asked for.
   • Sending the warmest birthday wishes to an amazing employee and friend.
   • Wishing you a day full of happiness and a year that brings you much success.
   • It makes my day when I see you at the office. Hope you have a fantastic birthday!
   • May your birthday be the start of a year filled with good health, luck, and happiness.
   • Here’s to health, happiness, and a wonderful year to come. Happy birthday, (their name)!
   • Happy birthday, (their name)! I hope this new personal year is filled with magic and exciting milestones!
   • On behalf of the entire company, I wish you good health and happiness this upcoming year. Happy birthday!
   • We’re wishing you the most spectacular birthday and a year that brings you much success. Make the most of it!
   • It’s time to celebrate one of my favorite people in the office…YOU! I hope you have a relaxing and stress-free birthday!
   • When you walk through the door every morning, I know it’s going to be a wonderful day. Wishing you the best birthday yet!
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Section 2 of 8:

Short Birthday Wishes for Employees

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1. 
   Write a short birthday wish to be polite and professional. Sometimes, a simple message is all you need to celebrate an employee’s birthday and make them feel appreciated. Just wish them a good time on their special day and much success for the upcoming year!

   • Happy, happy birthday to you!
   • Happy cake day, (their name)!
   • Wishing you a prosperous year ahead!
   • I hope your day is filled with happiness!
   • Happy birthday to the MVP of the office.
   • Cheers to a fantastic, fun-filled birthday!
   • Best wishes for your new personal year!
   • Hope you have an unforgettable birthday!
   • May your birthday be as marvelous as you are!
   • The whole team wishes you a very happy birthday!
   • Happy birthday and all the best to you in the year to come!
   • We’re so lucky to have you here. Wishing you a wonderful birthday!

Section 3 of 8:

Career-Oriented Birthday Wishes for Employees

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1. 
   Highlight their contributions to make them feel important in the workplace. According to employee relations expert Jeffrey Fermin, you can show your employees that you appreciate them by “acknowledging their successes.” Point out something they’ve recently accomplished or let them know how important they are in the office. Whether it’s a quick compliment about the quality of their work or their sparkling personality, it’s sure to brighten their birthday!

   • The office wouldn’t be the same without you. I hope you have a very happy birthday and an amazing year!
   • No one could do this job better than you. Thank you for all of your contributions, and enjoy your special day!
   • A special person like you deserves the most special birthday. We truly appreciate all your hard work during the past year!
   • We couldn’t have hit our goals without you, and we’re so lucky to have you on the team. Wishing you a blissful birthday!
   • You’re an essential member of our team, and we’re so honored to have you as an employee. Here’s to another bright year ahead!
   • I know you’re going to do amazing things this year, and I can’t wait to see what you accomplish. Wishing you a very special birthday!
   • To an irreplaceable member of our team, may your special day be filled with love, laughter, and cheer. Wishing you all the best this year!
   • It has been an absolute pleasure working with you, and I’m sending you my best wishes for the upcoming year. Enjoy your special day—you deserve it!
   • Your unique ideas and positive energy are worth celebrating every day, but especially today. Happy birthday to someone who means so much to our company!
   • The warmest wishes to a stellar member of our team. I want to sincerely thank you for your hard work and dedication, and wish you a very happy birthday. Shine on!
   • It feels like the perfect day to say we couldn’t produce such amazing work without you. Thank you for sticking with us and always bringing creative ideas to the table. HBD!
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Section 4 of 8:

Funny Birthday Wishes for Employees

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1. 
   Crack a joke about work to make your employee laugh out loud. Studies show that humor strengthens relationships. So, include a joke about the workplace if your employees are like your second family. Just be sure to keep your tone fun and lighthearted, and avoid making any jokes at their expense.

   • Happy one year closer to retirement!
   • Cheers to another year of surviving the office!
   • Wishing you a memorable, meeting-free birthday!
   • Celebrating you is in our job description! Have a fantastic birthday!
   • Happy birthday to an employee who has the world’s greatest boss!
   • You make this place tolerable—and that’s not easy! Happy birthday!
   • I hope your birthday gives you the same feeling as 5 PM on a Friday!
   • Happy birthday. You deserve a long vacation for putting up with all of us!
   • There’s no one else I’d rather chat with on Slack. Happy birthday to my favorite coworker!
   • Seeing you in the office is the second best thing about coming to work…right after the coffee. Happy birthday!
   • Without you, there’s a solid chance our company would be up in flames. Happy birthday and thanks for all that you do!
   • I was debating on what to get you for your birthday, but then I remembered the best gift is the opportunity to work with me every day. Lucky you!
   • I heard we’re celebrating the birthday of the most incredible employee the company has ever seen…but I guess we mixed up the dates since it’s not my birthday! Hope you have an awesome day!

Section 5 of 8:

Famous Birthday Quotes for Employees

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1. 
   Include a birthday quote to motivate or inspire your employee. If you’re struggling to find the right sentiments or want to add a personal touch at the end of your message, get help from someone else! Throw out any of the following quotes to make your employee feel cared for and brighten their birthday:

   • “It takes a long time to grow young.” —Pablo Picasso
   • “You don't get older, you get better." —Shirley Bassey
   • “The first hundred years are the hardest.” — Wilson Mizner
   • “Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift.” —Aretha Franklin
   • “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” —George Eliot
   • “We turn not older with years, but newer every day.” — Emily Dickinson
   • “The best birthdays of all are those that haven’t arrived yet.” —Robert Orben
   • “The older you get, the better you get. Unless you are a banana.” —Betty White
   • “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” —Les Brown
   • “Whatever with the past has gone, the best is always yet to come.” — Lucy Larcom
   • “We grow neither better nor worse as we get old, but more like ourselves.” —Bernard Baruch
   • "The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age." ―Lucille Ball
   • “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one who is you-er than you.” —Dr. Seuss
   • “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” — Abraham Lincoln
   • “Today is the oldest you have been and the youngest you will ever be again. Make the most of it!” —Nicky Gumbel
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Section 6 of 8:

Crafting the Perfect Birthday Message

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1. 
   Reflect on your employee’s contributions and express gratitude. To create a personal birthday message, think about what your employee has brought to the table and the impact they’ve made on your team or company. Do they take on additional tasks and responsibilities? Are they willing to learn and improve their work? Do they consistently exceed performance goals? Get specific about their role in the workplace and how lucky you are to have them!

   • An easy way to personalize your message is to include specific traits that you admire about your employee, such as their kindness, determination, creativity, or problem-solving skills.

Section 7 of 8:

The Benefits of Sending Employees a Birthday Wish

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1. 
   Sending a birthday wish can help improve morale and job satisfaction. Celebrating an employee’s birthday is one of the best (and easiest) ways to make them feel valued in the workplace. It shows that you care about them as a person, and not just as an employee, which can boost morale and motivation. Here are some of the top reasons why you should recognize an employee’s special day:

   • Boosts morale: Acknowledging an employee’s birthday is a small gesture that can make them feel seen and heard, which can make them more motivated at work.
   • Increases engagement: “Showing appreciation for your team’s hard work and dedication can foster an engaged workforce who will help take your business to the next level of success,” according to Fermin.
   • Promotes team building: Birthday celebrations are a great opportunity to get everyone in the office involved. Organizing social activities, like group lunches or happy hours, can improve overall teamwork and collaboration.
   • Strengthens relationships: Sending a birthday wish can improve employee-employer relations because it shows that the employer cares about the employee’s well-being.
   • Helps employee retention: When employees build relationships at work, they’re more productive and likely to stay. Recognizing someone’s birthday shows that you care about them and that they’re an important part of your organization.
   • Creates a positive workplace: Birthday celebrations create a fun and engaging work environment, which can foster a sense of community and lead to increased productivity.
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Section 8 of 8:

Frequently Asked Questions

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1. 
   1
   How can you celebrate an employee’s birthday? Start by wishing your employee a happy birthday via card, email, or in person. You could decorate their workspace with streamers, balloons, confetti, or other decorations to spread birthday cheer, or give them a small gift, such as a gift card, food basket, or customized stationery.

   • If you want to get the whole office involved, host a small celebration. You could buy a cake to share during your lunch break, or organize a happy hour after work.
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   Where can you find birthday-related images and GIFs? Look on sites like GIPHY.com, Tenor.com, Gifer.com, or Funimada.com for fun and festive options. Just type in “happy birthday employee” into the search bar at the top of the page and scroll away!

   • To add a GIF to outlook or gmail, simply compose a new email, click the “Inset Photo” icon, and drag and drop the GIF from your desktop to the body of the email.
3. 
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   What should you keep in mind when choosing a birthday card? Choose a card that’s warm, personal, and aligns with your company. In business settings, minimal designs, corporate colors, and simple pre-printed messages work best. However, you can go for a more colorful or humorous card if you work in a creative industry or are super close to your employee.
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