At UNT, we recognize that the collective efforts of all staff members contribute to the overall mission of the University and that we should encourage opportunities for those efforts to be acknowledged. In order to attract and retain the best employees, we must aim to create an environment where employees feel appreciated for their contributions. Well-thought-out recognition/reward programs can be either peer or management-driven, or both. These programs can help motivate employees to continually improve; to be innovative and manage resources creatively; to set high standards and goals; and to work together in teams. Recognition is a great esteem builder and can help create workplace loyalty and build a sense of community. It helps employees see what their co-workers are doing, and why. This toolkit will provide information about the University's recognition programs as well as provide you with tools to recognize your constituents as well.
One of the most effective ways to express appreciation is often one of the most overlooked: saying thank you. Even if most of the duties one performs are a normal part of the job, hearing "thank you" in a spontaneous and timely way can mean a lot to anyone. It should be done often, and can be done privately or publicly in front of co-workers. Mention the task, project, or behavior you want to recognize and be sincere. Some departments have a yearly picnic, luncheon, or other event to show appreciation to staff for their efforts.
For more information on the staff recognition programs listed below, please contact your HR consulting team.
The UNT Service Recognition Program recognizes employees and faculty for their years of non-consecutive, benefits-eligible service (hourly employment is not included) at UNT. Faculty member service recognition begins at ten years, and are formally recognized each spring by the Provost. Staff member service recognition takes place during Staff Appreciation Week and at the President's Staff Sack Lunch. Faculty and staff member honorees are recognized each month in the online version of InHouse and on the Employee Recognition page of the HR Website.
In addition to on-campus recognition, staff members, celebrating a five-year service milestone receive an award certificate and a pre-selected gift. Staff and faculty members celebrating ten or more years of service receive an award certificate and a UNT bookstore credit. The credit permits honorees to select UNT Bookstore merchandise most meaningful to them. It even allows employees to apply their credit towards the purchase of a more expensive gift. Service Recognition packets are delivered directly to the departments of award recipients monthly by their HR consulting team.
To obtain more information, please read the attachments:
Service Recognition Program Details
Service Recognition Honorees FY2012
Service Recognition Honorees FY2011
Service Recognition Honorees FY2010
Additional Resources and Tools
The Soaring Eagle Award program was developed to reward UNT faculty, staff and student employees for providing exemplary customer service. Individual recipients are listed in the HR Connections newsletter and presented with a Soaring Eagle pin at the President's Staff Sack Lunch and groups and/or departments are presented with a certificate of recognition. There is no limit on the number of times an individual can receive this award. Staff members and groups/departments can be nominated for this award by anyone on campus.
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The Staff Contribution Award Program recognizes UNT staff members who have made outstanding contributions in helping the University accomplish its goals. All UNT faculty, staff, and students may nominate staff members for the award. Nominees must be a regular, retirement eligible employee below the Vice President level, must not have received any formal disciplinary action wtihin the past 12 months, AND may not have received a Staff Contribution or Outstanding Employee Award in the last 4 years. Nominations are reviewed by a committee comprised of several UNT staff members and confirmed by the President. Awards are presented to recipients by the President during Staff Appreciation Week.
This award is based on staff members’ job performance and outstanding contributions helping the University accomplish its strategic goals while demonstrating its core values. Staff members can be nominated for this award by anyone on campus. Recipients must have a satisfactory or higher overall rating on their current performance evaluation. The award is verified by Human Resources, the recipient’s department head and Vice President. Recipients are given up to eight hours of paid leave that can be used for up to one year from notification.
Star Performer Nomination and Approval form
This award is named in memory of Steve Miller, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources. Staff members are selected by the Vice President as the outstanding employee from that division. Honorees are selected based on their contribution to the division and the university. Awards are presented at the President's Staff Sack Lunch.
Vice Presidents select a department from their division as the outstanding department. Departments are chosen on their contribution to the division and to the University. Departments receiving this award are presented with a certificate of appreciation from the President of the University at the President's Staff Sack Lunch.
TIP$ (Top Ideas for Productivity and Savings) is a program designed to give you an opportunity to share your ideas for improved operations while reducing operational costs. Your ideas for cutting costs while simultaneously increasing productivity or improving services or procedures could be worth money! Implemented suggestions will receive recognition, and in some instances, monetary awards. This is your opportunity to impact the way things are done! All regular faculty, staff and student employees are eligible to participate. Suggestions are evaluated three to four times a year.
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