The University administration feels it is appropriate to recognize lengthy and meritorious employee service. Therefore, the following Employee Service Award Program has been developed.

Eligibility

Service, for the purpose of this program, is defined as the total time worked with or without interruption of employment in a status (civil service, faculty, or supportive professional staff) position at Northern Illinois University. Only during periods of STATUS employment do service credits accrue for this purpose of this recognition. Sick leave benefits beyond the retirement date do not extend the service credit.  Faculty, Supportive Professional Staff, and Civil Service employees whose work coincides with the academic year receive a year's credit for completion of the school year. Employees who are on layoff for more than four months will not continue to accumulate credit towards the service awards program. Service credits continue to accrue during periods of leave with pay, sick leave, maternity leave, educational leave, military service leave and while one is receiving disability benefits from the State Universities Retirement System. Individuals on disability will not be recognized until they return. 

Service Award Plateaus

Awards are presented at several plateau levels. For the five-year awards (civil service only), the certificate is sent to the employee's supervisor for presentation. Pending completion of the service year before April 30, the employee who is eligible for a 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 year award is presented the award at a university sponsored event in the spring of the year. Employees eligible for an award are encouraged to attend the ceremony. 

When multiple options are listed for a plateau level, the employee may choose one gift of their choice. Employees who do not select a gift by the applicable deadline will receive a default gift