Each year, Spring's arrival is announced in several ways. Fragrant blooms of happy colors peak out of the sleepy ground. Innocent babies join the ranks of animal and human families. And thunderstorms roar in with nourishing rains (and sometimes damaging winds).
Product Manager Jesus Sanchez takes a break to meet System ID's Easter bunny, Ginger.
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System ID, Spring marks its arrival in another way: A visit by the Easter bunny.
A traditional treat, the company merely uses this time of Christian revival as an opportunity for fun and fellowship. And its diverse group of staff agree. Just ask product manager Jesus Sanchez, who experienced Spring's arrival at System ID for the first time this year.
"Our employee recognition team really goes all out," Sanchez explained. "First, they treated us to lunch by Dickey's Barbecue--one of my personal favorites--and then we had a full blown egg hunt on office grounds. Some people invited their spouses and children to join in the fun. Everyone seemed to have a really good time."
Senior Account Manager Jared Parrish and wife Sara and son Sawyer enjoyed the egg hunt at the System ID Spring celebration.
Adult egg hunters aren't usually the norm in Plano, Texas, home to System ID. But when prizes are involved, suddenly the barcode technology professionals unleash their child-like enthusiasm.
"You should have seen everyone vying for their six allotted eggs," Sanchez said. "You would have thought that they were filled with gold or something."
In a way they were.
Gift cards to area establishments like Starbucks, Chili's, and Chipotle were coveted catches. So were the "golden coins" that employees could cash in for additional cards. "I ended up with a few free lunches out of the deal," Sanchez proclaimed.
Gifts of candy and cards weren't the only treats of the day. Employees guessed how many chocolate kisses and jelly beans were stuffed into decorated jars. And Mary Decker, corporate HR administrator, brought her pet rabbit, Ginger, to work.
Mary Decker, HR administrator, brings her pet rabbit, Ginger, to the annual Spring celebration.
"Everyone enjoys it when I bring my bunny in," Mary explained. "Both team members and their children want to hold and pet her. I think Ginger likes the attention, too."
When the last bite of barbecue was gone and eggs emptied, employees returned to their desks, eager once again to help customers find the best barcode solutions for their businesses. The renewed camaraderie from this annual celebration not only marked Spring's march into Texas; it provided welcomed enthusiasm—and free lunches—for coming weeks and months.