HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Revised Employee Recognition Program Policy RESOLUTION NO. 21-123
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE REVISED
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAM POLICY
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS,On October 13,2020,the City Council approved a collection of revised policies
for City employees and those Policies became effective on October 19, 2020; and,
WHEREAS,one of the revised policies was the Employee Recognition Programs Policy that
provides for five City-wide employee awards for exceptional service,years of service awards, and
retirement gifts; and,
WHEREAS, after the adoption of the revised Policy, the Employee Council noted that the
new Policy's section regarding the years of service awards did not provide for continuing some long-
standing practices, and in addition, the new Policy did not clarify two areas that have been
historically been confusing and inconsistently administered; and,
WHEREAS, to remedy those issues, staff has drafted changes to the Employee Service
Awards section of the Policy; and,
WHEREAS, the changes to the Policy will accomplish the following:
1. Provide for recognition of long-time temporary employees who return to the
City year after year(e.g.,lifeguards,community safety officers,fitness class
instructors). Currently, these employees are ineligible for service awards.
2. Memorialize the practice that the award consists of $5 for each year of
service, which is only given every five years (5t' anniversary, 10"'
anniversary, 15`' anniversary, etc.).
3. Clarify that if an employee reaches a milestone and is eligible for an award,
but leaves City service before the awards luncheon,their award is to be added
to their last paycheck.
WHEREAS, City staff has analyzed the revisions and believes they will have a negligible
fiscal impact; and,
WHEREAS,of the changes,the most significant from a cost standpoint is to allow temporary
employees to be eligible for years of service awards; and,
WHEREAS, there are currently 517 active temporary employees in the payroll system and
of these, 87 (17%)have been returning employees for five years or longer, and City staff estimates
the payment of recognition awards to cost approximately $1,000 per year, spread among various
funds.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that revised Employee Recognition Program Policy is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 26`h day of January, 2021.
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Gartin
Seconded by: Corrieri
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Martin
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 26t'day of January, 2021.