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Support Staff Policy & Procedure for Unit Recognition Programs

Policy

High levels of staff performance are critically important to the success of the University and can be enhanced when staff feel a sense of achievement and that their contributions are rewarded and recognized. Informally recognizing employees for their contributions, such as saying "thank you," should be part of on-going dialogue between every supervisor and employee.
To complement informal recognition, units may also establish formal recognition programs to honor extraordinary achievements by individuals or teams in all support staff employee groups. Unit recognition programs are to have defined criteria for:

type of achievement, e.g., achieving quality or productivity improvements, producing substantial innovations that directly impact unit objectives, achieving exceptional financial results or safety improvements, or completing large-scale projects,
award type and amount,
eligibility requirements, and
recipient selection process.

Because the recognition programs should acknowledge superior performance and/or exceptional achievement, the frequency and number of unit recognition awards given per year should be limited.

Cash recognition awards may not exceed $1,500 in value per recipient per calendar year and are subject to income tax. Non-cash awards, e.g., plaques, certificates, tickets, meals, and small gifts, are not to exceed $75 in value per recipient per calendar year. All cash awards, including gift certificates or any other cash equivalents, are taxable income and are subject to withholding tax and FICA. Awards are funded at the unit level.

Procedure

Department: Major Administrative Unit administrators must approve recognition and award programs. For cash awards, the unit administrator submits a summary of the approved recognition program, an explanation of the employee's achievements, and a Special Payment Authorization form to MSU Human Resources.

MSU Human Resources Staffing Services: Reviews and approves recognition awards. MSU Human Resources Staffing Services may be contacted to offer assistance in designing recognition programs.

Refer questions to: MSU Human Resources Staffing Services (telephone 517-353-3720, e-mail)

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