November is birthday month at our firm! We have three birthdays to celebrate, including yours truly. Between Scorpio and Sagittarius season, there are probably enough strong opinions in the office to explain why we work in law.
Our birthday traditions are simple. We secretly circulate a funny card, fill it with increasingly annoying puns, and enjoy a cake or cupcakes chosen by the birthday person. They get control over the dessert. The puns are beyond anyone’s control.
Then we step away from our desks, eat something sweet, and spend time together. No agenda. No file updates. Just a chance to catch up, laugh, and connect beyond whatever deadline is approaching.
Thankfully, our version of “let them eat cake” involves considerably less risk of a guillotine.
For business owners, these small moments deserve a place in the calendar. It is easy to get caught up in productivity, client demands, and the next thing that needs doing. Taking time to celebrate someone sends a simple message: we appreciate you, and we are glad you are here.
That matters because much of our working day revolves around what people need from us. A question answered, a task completed, a problem solved. Recognizing an employee’s interests, preferences, and milestones helps ensure appreciation extends beyond their output.
These breaks also give coworkers a chance to know each other beyond their job titles. Shared laughs and informal conversations can build relationships that make it easier to ask for help, share ideas, and work through a stressful day together. That sense of camaraderie benefits both the team and the business.
The practical takeaway for employers? Make room for small, consistent gestures of appreciation. A birthday celebration, a thoughtful thank-you, or lunch after a busy project need not be expensive or elaborate. Consider what each employee actually enjoys, too: some welcome a celebration, while others prefer a quiet acknowledgment.
Of course, cake cannot make up for poor management or unreasonable workloads. These gestures mean more when they reflect the respect and support employees receive throughout the year.
But taking a few minutes to connect is a worthwhile investment in your team. And if cupcakes are involved, we have no objections.
Robin K. Mann, Associate Lawyer