What is the proper protocol for celebrating staff birthdays, work anniversaries, and major milestones? Josh and Sam discuss some ideas on encouraging church staff without going overboard. The co-hosts give guidelines on best practices and what is reasonable.
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- You don’t have to do both birthdays and work anniversaries, but you should pick one to highlight.
- Churchwide recognition for work anniversaries should be reserved for ten or twenty-five-year increments, not every year or every five years. A bonus of $100 per year is reasonable.
- Consistency: Acknowledge everyone equally to avoid favoritism.
- Public vs. Private: Balance public acknowledgment with private gestures based on the staff member’s comfort level.
- Spiritual Encouragement: Incorporate scripture or prayer to align with the church’s mission and values.
- If you choose to acknowledge birthdays, they can be done during weekly staff meetings.
- Small gift cards and a handwritten note are a good way to acknowledge annual work anniversaries.
- Other milestones include weddings, the birth of children, graduations, or the loss of a loved one. These can be acknowledged through a time of prayer with your team.
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