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X. EMPLOYEE AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Overview
JMU currently has an employee recognition program that recognizes length of service for classified and faculty staff. The Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Human Resources Management, recently updated the Employee Recognition Program policy (Policy No.: 1.20). JMU desires to recognize employee contributions that support the overall objectives of JMU and state government. On September 25, 2000, the State of Virginia converted to a new Compensation Plan for classified and wage employees. In concert with these changes, the University has established a recognition program that would apply to classified, wage and administrative and professional faculty employees and that would reinforce positive behaviors, enhance good employee relations, raise morale, and improve agency and state government operations. Recognition awards will include Immediate Recognition and Customer Service Awards.

Purpose
Recognizing and rewarding employees for their contributions to the organization is important. Recognition and reward programs play an important role in attracting and retaining employees. The purpose of this program is to recognize individuals or groups for exceptional performance, special acts or innovative ideas.

Eligibility
All administrative and professional faculty, classified and wage employees are eligible to participate in this program. Classified employees only are eligible for recognition leave.

Nomination Procedures
Nominations are submitted at any time through the supervisory chain to the Human Resources Office for processing.

Immediate Recognition Awards and Customer Service Awards may be submitted to Human Resources at any time throughout the year and awarded based on available funding. Please use the Employee Recognition Nomination Form .

Criteria
Each recognition award recognizes specific achievements or service. The total of monetary awards shall not exceed $2,000 per employee per fiscal year.

Funding
Departments must use their current budgets for payment of the Immediate Recognition and Customer Service awards.

Payment
Lump sum payments to employees under the Employee Recognition Program are treated by the Fair Labor Standards Act as part of the employee's regular rate of pay. These guidelines will be applied to payments. Monetary awards are considered income and are subject to taxes in accordance with IRS regulations.

Recognition Leave
Only classified employees are eligible for recognition leave. Requests for recognition leave will be submitted on a form that will specify the reasons for the award, the number of days awarded, and the date the leave will lapse. Requests will be submitted to Human Resources by the supervisor through the appropriate VP. Human Resources will coordinate the leave award with the supervisor. Wage employees and administrative and professional faculty are not eligible for recognition leave.

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