PURPOSE:

In accordance with Ohio University Employee Recognition Policy #40.011, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM) has developed this program to recognize exceptional service and significant efforts by all classified (non-bargaining unit), administrative, and faculty employees in OU-HCOM.  This program provides College-wide recognition/incentives in addition to any department/unit employee recognition programs and the research grant bonus program.

OBJECTIVES OF PROGRAM:

• Provide immediate feedback on outstanding work efforts
• Reward exceptional service, work, achievements, etc.
• Demonstrate appreciation for employees

ELIGIBILITY:

Nominee must be a permanent full-time or part-time classified (non-bargaining unit), administrative, or faculty employees (including group III appointments for administrators/faculty). Employee must be employed at the College for at least 6 months.

CRITERIA:

Nominations can be submitted for either individual or team/group achievements, performance that exceeds expectations, benefits the College with measurable results, outstanding leadership, and reflects a genuine commitment to the accomplishment and excellence of the College.  Criteria for nominations may include, but not limited to:

• High level of effort
• Consistent commitment to quality
• Creative ideas, solutions, and innovation
• Completion of certification, educational program, etc. that will enhance performance
• Acquisition of new skills to enhance performance
• Taking on new jobs or responsibilities with substantive new duties which did not result in a change in pay grade or other monetary gain
• Special projects
• Successful funding of programmatic grant application

• Exceeds established guidelines/expectations
• Significant individual contribution to team effort
• Maintain productive, cooperative, positive team spirit and work style
• Development/implementation of cost saving measures
• Performing “above and beyond the call of duty”

AWARDS:

The amount of a proposed award may be requested from $25 up to $1000 (gross).  Note:  All awards are considered taxable income, refer to OU Policy #40.011.  The Dean may choose to adjust the amount of an award to maintain consistency with previous similar nominations (i.e., Certified Administrative Professional).  Also, depending on the number of nominations that warrant approval, the Dean may adjust the amount of the award(s) to stay within budget constraints.

FUNDING:

The Dean, with input from the Executive Committee, will determine the amount to budget centrally for the recognition award program and review annually.  Central funding for this program is contingent on budget constraints.

It is expected that the department requesting the award will provide a minimum of 50% of the total award from their department resources.  With appropriate justification, the department may request greater than 50% of the award to be covered by central funds.  Also, the department may request to use 100% departmental funds.

If all centrally budgeted funds are disbursed before the end of the fiscal year, the Dean will announce that nominations from central funds will not be accepted until the new fiscal year. 

PROCESS:

Nominations can be made at anytime during July 1 through May 31.  This allows time for processing in appropriate fiscal year. 

Any OU-HCOM employee may submit a nomination (using attached form) for a recognition award to the department/unit head.  The nomination must be approved by the nominee’s supervisor and department/unit head, and initialed by the HCOM Chief Financial Officer.  If the nomination is based on the criteria of successful funding of programmatic grant application, the HCOM Office of Research and Grants (ORG) must also approve.  Once all appropriate signatures are obtained, the nomination form can be submitted to the Dean for consideration.  NOTE:  The employee receiving the award should NOT sign the form until after the Dean has approved. 

In May of each year, the ORG will review all programmatic grant applications funded in the previous 12 months.  If no previous recognition was awarded to an individual during the year, ORG will contact the department head/chair to determine if a nomination should be submitted for any eligible OU-HCOM employee.

If award approved by the Dean, the form is sent back to the department to obtain the employee signature. The department will then send the form to HCOM Human Resources for submission to the University Human Resources (UHR) for approval and processing of payment (in accordance with Policy #40.011). 

RECOGNITION ACTIVITIES:

The award recipient will be notified by the department initiating the award and he/she will receive the appropriate monetary award.

The department initiating an award has the option of drafting a letter of congratulations to be signed by the Dean.

Last updated: 08/06/2012