Employee Recognition Committee Meeting
October 23, 2006
3:15-4:30pm
Library East Conference Room
Minutes
Members present: Betsy, Dina, Laurie, Peter, Brett, Brian
Guests present: Barbara Oliver, Grace Strawn
- Discussion began with Barbara Oliver and Grace Strawn per UF policies affecting ‘gifts’ distributed via Discretionary Recognition Fund.
- Barbara recommends: check with them before attempting to spend the money. They will advise as to whether or not the Discretionary Recognition Fund can be used for that gift, and alternative routes, if any.
- Barbara strenuously recommends: Do not give gifts with a recognizable dollar value. That kind of award is taxable personal income and must be processed via UF payroll. Example, a $50.00 gift certificate is taxable income included on an employee’s pay, and, after approximately 29% taxation, yields only $28.00. This belittles the gift and possibly creates a tax hassle for recipient as well as Libraries.
- This UF policy includes gift certificates collected from local businesses.
- We can give gifts with no dollar value stated. Example: do not give a $5.00 Starbucks gift certificate. Instead, give a Starbucks gift certificate that specifies “good for one tall café latte.”
- Recognition gifts may have an actual value less than or equal to $25.00, but it is highly recommended that we stick to $10.00 or less - to avoid attracting auditors.
- There is absolutely no way UF will provide us with a reserved parking space that we can use as a reward. Also, we cannot use UF money to pay for an off-campus parking space.
- For Significant Achievement Awards, Libraries cannot award a $100.00 cash award. However, if recipient needs more travel money, we can award $100.00 to be redistributed from the Discretionary Recognition Fund to that travel. This would not be money coming out of normal travel funds.
- For retirement parties, can give a silver platter or an alternative gift chosen by the retiree's department.
- Can’t use the Fund to pay for UF plaques, but can buy the picture frame to frame a recognition award.
- Can you take your unit out to lunch as a recognition award? Yes, long as it is on UF property. Examples, Arredondo Room or the café at the Harn.
- Discussion continued per setting up focus groups to gather ideas.
- We will supply specific ideas based on our research: “what should be recognized,” and “who should be recognized.”
- Example: it is suspected that employees prefer universally recognized awards - something that looks good on c.v. or resume - as compared to humorous awards that are fun but not memorable. Peter will talk to Trudi about feedback she's received.
- Focus groups will consider our suggestions and add their own ideas. Then we will develop the details of a more formal recognition system. This may take a few months due to end-of–year holidays and schedules.
- Brian will bring certain UF HR supervisory challenge courses into focus for library supervisors. Those courses include ideas for employee recognition. This ties in with research that shows that employees like to be recognized by their bosses.
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In the meantime, to encourage use of Discretionary Recognition Fund, we will announce the program later in November.
Recorder: Laurie Brennan
