AHEC HR

Effective July 1, 2006 the Auraria Higher Education Center will implement an Employee Incentive Award Program. The goal of this program is to provide supervisors and managers with incentives to motivate employees at Auraria and recognize and reward their accomplishments.

AURARIA HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER

INCENTIVE AWARDS PROGRAM

Award Descriptions

2006-2007

“THANK YOU” Awards:

These awards will come directly from the supervisor and can be given for a job well done which the supervisor has observed or from a recommendation made by another employee, department or external source. Examples include dealing with a difficult customer in a positive manner or completing a difficult project. An example of an outside recommendation may be a letter or e-mail to the supervisor expressing a job well done by the employee. It is then the responsibility of the supervisor to determine if the recommendation receives an award. Regardless of whether the supervisor awards the employee based on the recommendation, the letter or e-mail could be placed in the employees official personnel file in the Human Resources Department.

Tracking for the Thank You Award needs to be brief, so that supervisors won’t avoid giving awards because the process is cumbersome, but must provide enough information to determine who and why the award was given. Supervisors are required to track who the award was given to; a brief description of why the award was given; and the amount of the award using the format developed by the committee.

A postcard will be sent to each employee that has been awarded a “Thank You” award to acknowledge their work at the agency level and to verify award distribution.

Efficiency Award:

This award will be given only as the opportunity arises. The committee does not expect it to be earned very often so the award amount should be connected to the savings recognized and possibly funded by the savings.

Examples include safety awareness, savings in areas such as workers compensation through an established programs developed to improve safety or reduce injuries; verified whistleblower reports; etc.

Extra Mile Award:

Employees must be in their current position for at least one year and be certified before they are eligible for this award. The timing of this award is to be determined.

The supervisor will make a recommendation to their Division Director using the following guidelines:

Employee recognizes when additional help is needed and steps forward to make sure the work gets done.
Employee demonstrates a willingness to go above and beyond their assigned work on a regular basis.
Employee assumes a leadership role when necessary.
Employee works well either independently or within a group to get the job done on time (or before) with no reminders or coaxing.
Employee represents the department in a positive, professional manner and is considered a role model by others.

Team awards may also be recognized under this category.

The written recommendation from the supervisor to the division director will serve as documentation for the award.

Employee of the Year:

Employee of the Year will be awarded to two separate employees that do not function in a supervisory or managerial capacity. Nominations will be made to the Incentive Awards Committee for an employee that demonstrates exemplary performance, dedication, and a willingness to go above and beyond the normal expectations. In addition, an employee nominated for this award projects a positive image by contributing to the mission and goals of AHEC and the division while helping customers (students, staff, faculty and the public). Nominations must describe what makes the candidate uniquely qualified for the award and provide examples to be considered by the committee.

All employees nominated for this award will be recognized at an agency wide gathering.

Manager of the Year:

This award will recognize a manager or supervisor with program responsibilities or supervision of at least three employees. Nominations will be made to the Incentive Awards Committee for a Manager/Supervisor that actively promotes teamwork, motivates employees, and boosts employee morale. Other qualities of a Manager/Supervisor of the Year Nomination would include such qualities as providing training and challenges to employees based upon their knowledge, skill and abilities to promote their career and develop additional expertise within in the department; identifying and utilizing employee’s strengths and abilities; and implementing improvement plans for their department. Nominations must describe what makes the candidate uniquely qualified for the award and provide examples to be considered by the committee.

All employees nominated for this award will be recognized at an agency wide gathering.

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