This week is the 13th annual State Employee Recognition Week in Missouri, and various state agencies are celebrating in different ways.
The state hosts State Employee Recognition Week to "honor these dedicated men and women by celebrating the ways in which government serves the people and how state government enriches our lives each day."
All state employees are invited to attend State Employee Recognition Day from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. today on the south lawn of the Capitol. The event includes refreshments, entertainment and prizes from local vendors.
State Employee Recognition Day is hosted across the U.S. It began in 2001 under Donna Traywick, who was National Association of State Personnel Executives president, Jim Hodges, who was governor of South Carolina, and the National Governor's Association.
The Missouri event is funded entirely through sponsorships.
While most state agencies encourage their employees to attend, not all employees are given the same benefits to attend today's event.
For example, employees of the Office of State Courts Administrator (OSCA) get an extra 30 minutes added to their lunches, so that they may attend State Employee Recognition Day festivities at the Capitol.
"I chose to work 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., so I would get an hour that day (for lunch)," said Katlyn Cooper, senior administrative assistant of court business services at OSCA and agency coordinator for State Employee Recognition Week. "But, if you work 7 a.m.-4 p.m., you would get an hour and a half."
Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) employees have a 30-minute lunch to attend today's activities.
DeAnne Rickabaugh, State Employee Recognition Week coordinator for MoDOT, said it's up to individual supervisors to approve extra time for State Employee Recognition Day.
While Office of Administration and Missouri Department of Mental Health employees are encouraged to attend the day's event at the Capitol, they must attend during their lunch hour or take vacation hours to participate.
Various state agencies also plan activities specifically for their employees during State Employee Recognition Week.
The State Tax Commission of Missouri, as well as several other agencies, planned events for every day of the week.
Tuesday was "Tempting Tuesday," and State Tax Commission administrative secretary Sandy Wankum said employees were encouraged to bring their favorite snack to be shared with coworkers. Wankum also said the agency had "Wellness Wednesday," "Thank You Thursday" and "Flashback Friday."
The Office of Administration designated every Wednesday in May as jeans day for its employees.