HomeMy WebLinkAboutLake Elmo Employee Recognition Policy FinalCity of Lake Elmo, Minnesota Employee Recognition Policies Adopted December 2016 1. PURPOSE AND INTENT a) Beginning August 1, 2007, Minnesota Cities have authority under state law to
conduct employee recognition programs under Minn. Stat. Sec. 15.46, 43A.17, 412.111. This policy is intended to set forth the objectives of the City of Lake Elmo’s employee recognition program and to provide for the expenditure of public funds as necessary to achieve these objectives in a
manner consistent with the law.
b) The objectives of the program are: 1) to increase morale and employee motivation; 2) to encourage loyalty and long-term retention of employees; and 3) to celebrate the accomplishments and service of retiring employees, to
demonstrate the appreciation of the City Council, employees and citizens
of the City of Lake Elmo for the public service provided by all Lake Elmo employees. c) Employees eligible for recognition under this policy are regular full and part-time city employees, including all members of the Lake Elmo Fire
Department. Seasonal employees are not eligible.
2. SERVICE ANNIVERSARY AWARDS a) Employees shall be presented with a certificate recognizing their years of service at the completion of five (5) years of service and upon every five years
of additional service thereafter. The certificate shall be signed by the Mayor
and the City Administrator and/or department head and any other supervisors designated by the department. b) The City Administrator is directed to purchase suitable gift cards for this purpose for approximately $50.00.
c) The award shall be presented by the Mayor at a City Council meeting on a
date as close as practical to the service anniversary date. 3. RETIREMENT RECOGNITION a) Employees who are retiring from service shall receive a gift commemorating
their retirement. A suitable item with a value of $200 or less will be selected
by the City Administrator. b) The City will hold a retirement reception honoring the retiree. The City will contribute not more than $100.00 to the costs of refreshments for the reception, which will be held either in conjunction with the presentation of the
award at a City Council meeting, or at another date and time to be determined
upon consultation with the employee. The reception will be held at the city hall or other city building. c) Should an employee choose not to participate in a retirement reception, no compensation shall be paid to the employee in lieu of the city contribution to
the reception.
d) Retirement, for the purpose of this policy, shall be defined as meeting the
qualifications for retirement under the rules of the Minnesota Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) or of the Lake Elmo Firefighter Relief Association. 4. OTHER RECOGNITION PROGRAMS a) The City of Lake Elmo recognizes that the Lake Elmo Firefighter Relief Association may provide other awards and recognition to firefighters for their years of service or upon their retirement. The recognition program may include awards or events that do not meet the criteria for proper expenditure
for public funds. No public funds shall be used for such programs, but the
City supports their establishment and funding by the Relief Association to the extent consistent with the bylaws of the association and laws governing the use of such funds. b) The City may provide memorials, flowers, or other hospitalization gifts in an
amount not to exceed $50 upon the hospitalization or death of any City
employee, council member or member of a City committee, commission or board. c) The City of Lake Elmo, with coordination of the Environmental Committee, will recognize residents, community groups and/or businesses with
Environmental Stewardship Awards. Recognition will include a certificate
presented at a City Council meeting. d) An annual event may be held to recognize the public service of City staff Council members, and members of City committees, commissions and boards. The event must be preapproved by the City Council. An amount not to
exceed $500 will be provided for the annual event and must be expended as
necessary to achieve the objectives of the City’s Employee Recognition Policies. Immediate family or significant others of City staff, Council members, or members of City committees, commissions or boards may attend the annual recognition event at their own cost. Expenditure of public funds to
purchase alcohol for the annual recognition event shall not be permitted.