B.C. government workers are being encouraged to “frequently” give each other presents on the taxpayers’ tab as a way to boost morale. The available presents include backpacks and travel bags from Mountain Equipment Co-Op, boxes of Purdy’s and Roger’s chocolates, designer ceramic travel mugs, CamelBak water bottles, government-logo golf balls and pewter business card holders. If those gifts don’t strike a civil servant’s fancy, they can choose to give each other gift cards from a list of popular restaurant and retail chains, including: Starbucks, Tim Horton’s, HMV, Chapters, The Bay and Future Shop. It’s all part of the government’s $1.5-million staff-appreciation program for rewarding workers who do a good job. Employees are encouraged to visit one of several password-protected websites, where they can send presents to co-workers with the click of a mouse. The finance ministry has a website called “The Online Recognition Cupboard” stocked with presents, and employees don’t need formal permission to use it, according to the “Frequently Asked Questions” section on the site. Question: “Do I need my manager’s approval to recognize someone with the Recognition Cupboard items?” Answer: “No. The Recognition Cupboard is a tool to encourage frequent informal recognition from leader to employee, peer to peer, or employee to leader. The items within the Cupboard are paid for by the ministry and are available to be used for recognition of Finance employees.” The health ministry has its own virtual gift outlet for employees called “The Online Recognition Centre.” Ministry employees can send $5 gift cards to co-workers on the site, as well as check the estimated delivery or pick-up time by clicking a tracking button. Other government websites offer $15 gift cards for employees, and an “Employee Online Store” offers “numerous unique and convenient gift options” including active gear, plush toys, jewellery, books, artisan gifts and “edible items.” “Awards and gift items available through the Distribution Centre-Victoria include free packaging and delivery anywhere in the province,” says the government’s “Your Career” website. The government defended the program. “Ensuring employees are recognized and appreciated for the excellent work they do in delivering services to British Columbians helps us maintain a workforce focused on delivery of quality programs and services,” said Lynda Terras, head of the B.C. Public Service Agency. Terras said the $1.5-million program works out to just $52 per employee each year, and the government observes “guidelines and approval processes” for all gift-giving. (more)
----------------
Falcon defends reward program - Finance minister says the $1.5-million Online Recognition Cupboard 'is entirely appropriate By Andrea Woo, Vancouver SunFebruary 13, 2012 3:16 AM
Finance Minister Kevin Falcon pointed out the program has been in place for many years, having been introduced by the NDP in 1999. He said perspective is key. "We're the largest employer in the province, with 30,000 employees and a $42-billion annual budget," Falcon said. "This $1.5 million recognizes employees that have been exceptional in work performance and/ or employees that are being recognized for long service, for example, having worked in civil service for 20, 25, 30 years or longer." He noted more than half of the $1.5 million goes to a number of special events each year, including long-service awards dinners and a dinner to celebrate exceptional innovations in civil service. "It's not people just firing around gifts to each other for fun," Falcon said. "Recognizing employees that have served the province for decades is entirely appropriate and I'm not going to be an employer that is going to cancel those kinds of programs."
No comments:
Post a Comment