Resolution number
04-05-18

Effective date

Employee morale and retention are crucial in maintaining the customer service standards required by Worthington Libraries. Tenure and retirement awards are an important way to show appreciation when employees reach important milestones in their careers with Worthington Libraries. In this manner, the employee recognition awards, as described in this policy, support the library’s mission, operations and serve a proper public purpose.

All awards governed under this policy are an item of tangible personal property for length of service or retirement and will be awarded as part of a meaningful presentation. No awards will be given as cash or cash equivalents. Cash equivalent means readily convertible to cash: for example, a voucher for merchandise, savings bond or gift certificate.

Itemized receipts will be obtained for all purchases. A summary of the process, amounts, frequency limits and the internal controls over expenditures are detailed below: 

  1. Lapel Pins
    1. Lapel pins are provided to employees for the 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service anniversaries. The value will not exceed $30.00 per pin.
    2. Annually, the chief fiscal officer will review all purchases to ensure that the employees meet the years of service requirements and that all purchases are within the threshold defined above.
  2. Years of Service Awards
    1. Years of service awards are provided for the 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service anniversaries. The program allows employees to order from a professionally curated selection provided by a third party. The Library determines the threshold for each award level and each employee is limited to one item not to exceed the amounts defined in the schedule below. The awards are delivered to the human resources manager who verifies all orders and provides the award to the employee.
    2. Annually, the chief fiscal officer will review all purchases to ensure the employees meet the years of service requirements and all purchases were within the threshold defined below. Detailed itemized receipts will be maintained by the fiscal officer for all purchases.
      Years of service Threshold
      5 $43.00
      10 $85.00
      15 $135.00
      20 $190.00
      25 $250.00
      30 $315.00
      35 $385.00
  3. Retirement Award
    1. Upon receipt of a letter of resignation indicating retirement from public service, the Library will purchase a retirement award for length of service not to exceed $120.00, excluding shipping and handling, to be presented by a member of the Administrative Team or library manager. These awards will not be provided to an employee on an occasion other than retirement and the employee must have at least 10 years of service with Worthington Libraries to receive the award.
    2. Annually, the chief fiscal officer will review all purchases to ensure that the employee’s letter of resignation does indicate retirement and that all purchases were within the threshold defined above. Detailed itemized receipts will be maintained by the fiscal officer for all purchases.