Buddy Buck Rewards — Team-Facing Policy
Owner: Operations
Applies to: Tenured team members who participate as a Buddy (not new hires)
Related: Buddy Buck Program and Buddy Program Guidelines in Notion (Database Hub → Documentation → Documentation (NEW)). Ops process and survey criteria: Buddy Buck Rewards — Ops-Facing Policy.
Placement: This is the version-controlled copy. The canonical copy for day-to-day use may live in Notion (e.g. alongside the Buddy Buck Program page). Sync or copy updates to Notion when you change this file.
What Are Buddy Bucks?
Buddy Bucks are recognition points for tenured team members who support new hires as a Buddy. You earn points when a buddy cycle is completed successfully (measured by new-hire feedback). Points can be redeemed for a mix of rewards—plus public recognition every time.
Eligibility: This program is for tenured team members only. New hires do not earn Buddy Buck points.
How You Earn Points
- 1 point per successful buddy pairing. You are paired with one new hire for their first ~30 days; at the end of the cycle, the new hire completes a short survey. If the cycle meets the success criteria (e.g. proactive reach-out, touchpoints, support, overall experience), you receive 1 point. If not, you receive 0 points for that pairing. There are no partial points.
- You can earn more points by being a Buddy again in future cycles (each successful pairing = 1 point).
How You Redeem: 2 Points = One Reward Spin
- When you have 2 points, you get one reward spin.
- You choose one of the two reward options below. After you choose, those 2 points are used; you can earn more points with future buddy pairings and spin again when you reach 2 more points.
- Every reward is paired with public recognition (e.g. shoutout in Friday sync, kudos, or equivalent)—so your contribution is visible to the team regardless of which option you pick.
Reward Options (One Per Spin)
When you have 2 points and take a spin, you choose one of:
| Option | What you get | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Paid PTO | One paid PTO day (or equivalent). | Max 2 paid PTO days per year from Buddy Bucks. Each PTO day must be at least 30 days apart from the other. |
| Dollar incentive | A one-time cash amount in recognition of your buddy contribution. | Amount and process TBD; subject to Exec review before rollout. |
| Public recognition is included with every option—you’ll be recognized in the usual channel (e.g. Friday sync, kudos) when you redeem. |
What to expect when claiming a reward
- Your reward will be processed in the next payout cycle. If you choose Paid PTO, it must be used in line with the company OOO (out-of-office) policy (e.g. submit with the usual lead time).
- Dollar incentive: Send your request to operations@brainforge.ai. The amount will be processed in the next payout.
- Paid PTO: Follow the usual OOO process (same form or channel as other out-of-office requests). When you submit, add a note that you’re using Buddy-earned PTO by pasting: “Using Paid PTO from BF Buddy”.
Caps and Rules (Summary)
- Paid PTO: Maximum 2 paid PTO days per year from Buddy Bucks; the two days must be at least 30 days apart.
- Dollar incentive: Amount and eligibility TBD; will be communicated after Exec review.
- Recognition: Every reward is paired with public recognition; no extra step required from you.
Where to Ask Questions
- How points are awarded, how the spin works, or how to claim a reward: Ops (e.g. @Elizah Joy, @Sheshu, or your usual Ops contact).
- General buddy role and timeline: see the Buddy Buck Program and Buddy Program Guidelines in Notion.
Document History
- 2026-03-03: Reward options reduced to PTO and Dollar only; added “What to expect when claiming a reward” (operations@brainforge.ai, OOO process, note “Using Paid PTO from BF Buddy”).
- 2026-03-03: Initial version (1pt per successful pairing, 2pts = one spin, four options with PTO cap and 30 days apart, dollar TBD, all with public recognition).