Skip to main content

OM 8.1.17 Years of Service Award

About This Policy

Effective Date: July 2014
Last Updated: September 2025
Responsible University Office: Human Resources
Responsible University Administrator: Human Resources Vice President

Policy Contact:

Human Resources
clarksonhr@clarkson.edu

Applies To

Full-time regular or temporary grant-funded exempt or non-exempt employees.

Policy Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to formally recognize and celebrate the dedication, loyalty, and continued contributions of employees who reach key service milestones within the organization. By acknowledging years of service, we aim to:

  • Foster a culture of appreciation and respect;
  • Enhance employee engagement and morale;
  • Encourage long-term retention by valuing tenure;
  • Reinforce our commitment to recognizing individual contributions to the organization's success.

This policy outlines the framework for how employees will be recognized and/or rewarded for their years of service in a consistent and equitable manner.

Policy Statement

The Years of Service Award is an annual lump sum payment provided to eligible employees upon reaching designated service milestones, beginning at 5 years of service and continuing at every 5-year increment thereafter (e.g., 10, 15, 20 years).

  • Full-time employees receive the full award amount.
  • Part-time employees receive one-half (½) of the full award amount.
Years of Service Award Amount
5 Years $600
10 Years $700
15 Years $800
20 Years $1000
25 Years $1200
30 Years $1400
35 Years $1600
40 Years $1800
45 Years

$2000
50 Years

$2200

Eligible employees include full-time and part-time staff in regular, temporary, and grant-funded positions who are scheduled to work at least 17.5 hours per week. Employment does not need to be continuous, provided all qualifying service was in an eligible position. Time served in positions not classified as eligible (e.g., per diem, adjunct) will not count toward years of service.

Current employees hired or rehired prior to September 1, 2025, are not eligible for retroactive Years of Service Awards based on time worked in temporary positions. Employees reaching their milestone in 2025 will be eligible for the Years of Service Awards. However, temporary service will be included in the calculation of total years of service for determining future award eligibility.

Temporary Positions excluded from this policy change are:

  • Per diem
  • Seasonal
  • Student Worker
  • Adjuncts
  • Courtesy Appointments
  • Contract Workers (Cortech)

For employees rehired after September 1, 2025, prior service in an eligible position classification will be included in the calculation of total years of service for determining future award eligibility; however, they will not be eligible for retroactive Years of Service Awards for missed milestones.

Human Resources and Payroll are responsible for tracking employee eligibility and processing payment. The award will be processed through Payroll and issued in conjunction with the employee’s regular paycheck in the month following their anniversary date.

Definition of Terms

Eligible employees include full-time and part-time staff in regular, temporary, and grant-funded positions who are scheduled to work at least 17.5 hours per week.

Procedures

Review of Eligibility
On a regular basis, Human Resources will review internal records to identify employees who are reaching an eligible Years of Service milestone.

Notification to Employees
Human Resources will notify each eligible employee via email. The email will include:

  • Confirmation of their upcoming Years of Service Award
  • The specific date and month of the award payment

Award Certificate
In addition to the lump sum payment, eligible employees will receive a Years of Service certificate recognizing their milestone.

Award Payment
The award will be processed through Payroll and issued in conjunction with the employee’s regular paycheck in the month following their anniversary date.

Milestone Recognition Event
Employees who celebrated a milestone during the calendar year will be recognized through campus-wide communications and/or employee events, which may include visual displays or mentions of their names and years of service.

History

Adopted July 2014

September 2025 Updated the title and policy context to include temporary years of years into overall years worked.

Back to top