C.A.R.E. TEAM UPDATE:

Recognition Program
Enjoys Success

With just over ten months since the C.A.R.E. [Congratulating and Recognizing Efforts] Program debut, many Plant Operation employees have been on the receiving end of praise and kudos from the University community. The C.A.R.E. Team kicked off three programs in May 1999 as part of the Plant Operations employee recognition program -- the Attendance Achievement Award, the Silver Arrow Award and the Ideas 2000 Award. Participation has been great and over 600 employees have received awards since the start of the program. Recipients receive from one to four coupons (depending on which award they have earned) which are then redeemable for items displayed in the program's multi-level gift catalog. After listening to what Plant Ops employees consider as meaningful recognition and reviewing the many types of employee recognition programs available, the C.A.R.E. Team is convinced they've developed one that works. The C.A.R.E. Team continues to make minor modifications to the existing programs as well as designing and implementing new programs.

The Attendance Achievement Award program focuses on recognizing those individuals who achieve perfect attendance over a six-month period. From November 1, 1998 -- April 30, 1999, 103 people were recognized for perfect attendance. (The C.A.R.E. Team went back to November 1, 1998 as part of the program kick-off). At the end of the second round, May 1, 1999 -- October 31, 1999, the program recognized 199 perfect attendees an increase of almost 100%! Of course, the C.A.R.E. Team understands this may not be entirely attributable to the program, however, it is evident that employees are re-thinking the use of sick time.

The Silver Arrow Award program has proved itself to be valuable in recognizing those who provide great customer service as well as offering an avenue for those who wish to recognize Plant Operations' employees who go above and beyond customers expectations. This program has given the University community, Plant Operations managers, supervisors, and co-workers the opportunity to cite specific examples to nominate employees who show true excellence in customer service and outstanding performance. To date, 389 people have received the Silver Arrow Award.

With a little nurturing from the C.A.R.E. Team, the Ideas 2000 program is now holding its own. Innovative ideas are making their way through the process and are now in place or have been implemented. Others are currently in the process of evaluation by the Plant Operations Lead Team. Suggestions range from simple, easy-to-implement ideas to major operational changes. This program provides the added benefit of the satisfaction a person feels when his/her idea is, at the very least, attracting attention from directors and managers who are in the position to implement change and the entire University benefits from these good ideas. Since Plant Operations employees move throughout campus carrying with them their substantial working knowledge of the operation within the Division, we are in a great position to recognize needed improvements outside the scope of our own responsibilities. It just takes one idea to make a difference! We are fortunate to have a program in place that evaluates valid ideas and staff willing to implement these ideas for the betterment of the University.

One puzzling question remains for the C.A.R.E. Team. With over 800 award coupons issued, less than 100 have been redeemed. Savin' em' up? That's fine just as long as you redeem them. After all, you've earned it!

For more information about the programs, please contact your department's C.A.R.E. Team representative.

- Tim Kennedy, U & MS