SPOT AWARDS

The purpose of the Staff Appreciation Spot Awards is to show immediate recognition to staff members for something special that they have done.

These awards are small gifts and designed to just be a small token of appreciation for a staff member who has shown initiative to solve a specific problem, gone out of the way to accomplish something, solved a particularly challenging problem, made an extra effort to help someone, or did excellent work on a project.

This program is different from the Campus Staff Performance Award Program which provides large monetary awards once a year. Although the criteria are similar, the Campus Staff Performance Award Program is based on sustained outstanding performance and/or recognition for much more significant achievements.

Responsibility for the Staff Appreciation Spot Awards will rest with the Departments, and the Department Managers will coordinate the program. Although the assumption is that supervisors will nominate staff for these awards, co-workers are invited to also recommend their colleagues. Supervisors or Co-workers need to submit a brief written statement justifying the award to their Department Manager. The awards will be chosen from the list of Bear Hugs available through EMPACT! with a dollar value of less than $75. The Department Manager will discuss the appropriate gift with the nominator.

Funding for this program has been provided by the Dean and prorated to each Department on the basis of the number of staff members. The Department Managers will keep copies of the justification statements and record each award that is given. The Department Managers will be required to provide an annual report to their Chairs, the Dean and the Associate Dean - Administration indicating the amount of the awards and who they went to.

Annual Limit.  Effective March 12, 2008 the number of recognition awards that an employee may receive is limited to three per calendar year for no more than a total dollar value of $225. Gift certificates and cards should be inscribed with the employee’s name, if possible, and may not be used for gifts of services. Gift cards should not be transferred to another employee. For more information see UC Business and Finance Bulletins, Numbers G-41 and BUS-79

• Went beyond the expected by staying late to get a grant out on time or by coming in on a weekend to get a job done on time
• Pitched in to help others get a project done
• Was especially helpful to students, colleagues, visitors
• Displayed a positive attitude even under demanding and frustrating circumstances
• Thought of new ideas to save dollars, save time or streamline processes
• Handled an irate person very well
• Took extraordinary actions that had immediate impact on success of project/program/unit
• Did something that had significant long term positive impact on outcome of project/program/unit
• Considered to have a highly positive influence on co-workers/team members
• Effectively managed a complaint resolution
• Showed thoughtful, cooperative, caring behavior over a period of time