Employee Recognition Toolkit

Contents:

Summary

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 (non-cash) 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.

Recognition Can Be Simple

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 Human Resources Employee Relations at (940) 565-4817.

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Service Recognition Awards

This program recognizes employees for their years of non-continuous benefits-eligible service at UNT, from five through fifty years of service.  Faculty-member years-of-service recognition begins at ten years, and faculty members are formally recognized each spring by the Provost.  Staff member years-of-service recognition takes place each fall 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.

Award packets for faculty and staff members are delivered directly to departments by the Department of Human Resources for individual recognition at the department level. Staff recipients of the five-years-of-service awards are recognized with a pre-selected gift.  Employees with 10 or more years of service will be given a predetermined amount of credit at the UNT Bookstore. The credit permits honorees to select UNT Bookstore merchandise most meaningful to them. It even allows employees to apply their credit to the purchase of a more expensive gift.

To obtain more information, please read the attachments:

New Service Recognition Program effective 9/1/2009

New Service Recognition Program effective 9/1/2009 – in Espanol

Service Recognition Program Details

Service Recognition Honorees

Additional Resources and Tools

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Soaring Eagle Awards

The Soaring Eagle Award program was developed to reward UNT faculty, staff and student employees for providing exemplary customer service. Recipients are listed in the HR Connections newsletter and presented with a soaring eagle pin during the President's Staff Sack Lunch. There is no limit on the number of times an individual can receive this award. Staff members can be nominated for this award by anyone on campus.

Related Forms:

Soaring Eagle Reward Recipients

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Staff Contribution Awards

The Staff Contribution Award program provides recognition to UNT and UNT System staff members who have made an outstanding contribution to accomplishing the university’s strategic goals, while demonstrating its core values.  All UNT and UNT System faculty, staff, and students may nominate staff members for the award. Nominations are reviewed by a committee comprised of several UNT staff members and confirmed by the President. Recipients receive a crystal and mahogany award along with a thousand dollars. Recipients are presented with their award by the President during Staff Appreciation Week.

Related Forms:

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Star Performer Awards

This award is based on excellent job performance. Therefore, recipients must have at least a 3.5 score on their current performance evaluation. Staff members can be nominated for this award by anyone on campus. The award is verified by 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 Form

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Steve Miller Outstanding Employee Award

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. Recipients are recognized with a jade crystal award and a thousand dollars at the President's Staff Sack Lunch.

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Outstanding Department Award

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.

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TIP$

TIP$ (Top Ideas for Productivity and Savings) is a program designed to give you an opportunity to share your ideas for improved operations and to be recognized for your contributions. Your ideas for cutting costs, increasing productivity or service, and improving methods or procedures could be worth money! 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 by the TIP$ committee. Monetary awards are made based on cost-savings, productivity and other criteria. You can win up to $600

UNT Policy 1.7.4

Related Forms:

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Additional Resources:

Documents

Books

  • Make Their Day!- Employee Recognition that Works by Cindy Ventrice (2003)
  • Love 'em or Lose 'em - Getting Good People to Stay by Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans (1999)
  • Handle With Care:Motivating and Retaining Employees by Barbara A. Ganz
  • A Carrot A Day: a daily dose of recognition for your employees by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton
  • 1001 Ways to Reward Employees, Nelson, 1994.
  • How to Recognize and Reward Employees, Deeprose, 1994.
  • Staff Appreciation Events, Stanford University, 1998.
  • Recognition and Rewards Project Team Report, MIT, 1998.
  • FISH! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results, by Stephen C. Lundin, PhD., Harry Paul, and John Christenson, Hyperion, 2000.

Websites

  • www.carrots.com – provides free e-newsletter with great ideas for employee recognition.

E-Cards

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