by Carol Gioia

Created on: July 20, 2010   Last Updated: March 29, 2012

One of the steadfast traditions in the workplace is the collective birthday greeting. A card is passed around for all to sign and then presented to the honoree.  As a rule, everyone is included in the card signing, even the newest employees who might not even know the recipient.

When the birthday card comes your way for signing, you might decide to include a brief message with your signature, depending on how well you know the recipient. For fellow employees any message you choose to write is acceptable. But, what if the birthday card is for the boss?

A birthday message on a card intended for your boss might take a little more thought. If you don’t personally know the boss, or you are a new employee, a simple "Happy Birthday" or "Best Wishes" is appropriate.

What “not” to write on the boss’s birthday card:

• Displaced humor

If you and the boss are friends outside of the office, you might be tempted to write something humorous. Being too familiar on the collective office birthday card is not a good idea, no matter how good a friend you are to the boss. You don’t want other employees who are also signing the card to perceive you as an “insider” or favored in some way. That perception by others will not serve you well in your day to day interactions. Keep your message generic and write your friend/boss a more personal message on a separate birthday card to be presented outside of the workplace.

If you do not know the boss intimately, then your humor might be misunderstood and your professionalism might be undermined in the boss’s eyes.

• Overly personal comments

Refrain from making any comments of an overly personal nature. This would include referring to the boss’s age in your message, observations about his work habits or any other comments that might be construed as inappropriate or unprofessional.

• Attempts to be clever

Cleverness does not always translate well in writing. You may be the resident wit in the workplace, but save your clever comments for the water cooler crowd. Your cleverness will appear out of place on a card extending collective good wishes to the boss on his birthday.

• Inside jokes

You and the boss may have shared a funny moment or two over the course of your employment. Refrain from making “inside jokes” on the collective birthday card alluding to those moments. Any message you write that could be misunderstood, misconstrued or excludes others is not appropriate on a collective birthday wish to the boss.

Extending birthday wishes on the job is a thoughtful gesture. When the birthday wishes are for the boss, temper your enthusiasm with good judgment.  Otherwise your comments could inadvertently be perceived incorrectly by others, or by the boss himself.

When it is your turn to sign the collective birthday card for the boss, be sure to keep your comments neutral and positive. A warm message such as, “Have a great day,” or “Enjoy your special day,” is apt to be the wisest choice for offering best wishes to your boss on his birthday.

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