HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.F.2. Employee Recognition Program 1 � • ' • � .
City of Shakopee
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Kris Wilson, Assistant City Administrator
SUBJECT: Employee Recognition Program
DATE: 1 u ne 12, 2012
Introduction
The Council is asked to consider and provide feedback regarding an update to the City's employee
recognition program.
Background
For many years the City has recognized full-time and regular part-time employees reaching service
milestones with a series of certificates, resolutions and plaques. The current progression is as follows:
5 & 10 years of service: certificate in an envelope
15 & 20 years of service: certificate in a cardboard frame
25 & 30 years of service: resolution in wooden frame
35 &40 years of service: plaque
These certificate and plaques are handed out at an annual employee picnic that has moderate
attendance.
This is a fairly dated and unremarkable means of recognizing long-standing employees and something
the City should consider improving upon.
I have collected employee recognition programs from 15 other metro-area cities and found that the vast
majority of those cities are providing some form of gift certificate or cash award for service milestones,
often in addition to a paper certificate and a recognition lunch. The value generally starts between $25
and $50 for employees marking 5 years of service and increases in varying degrees from there.
Employee recognition programs like this are allowed under state law so long as the governing body
declares the public purpose of such expenditures. In the Human Resources field the purpose of an
employee recognition program is widely recognized as something that boosts employee morale and
retention, leading to improved productivity and better service to our residents and customers.
Gift certificates or monetary payments are not the only way to improve upon our current program,
though. Other options include allowing employees to select an item of clothing with the City logo on it,
an additional day off, etc.
Requested Action
Council is asked to discuss and provide feedback regarding employee recognition.