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New Recognition Program to Include Gifts for Service Anniversaries

In keeping with the theme of promoting excellence in action among university staff, the Division of Human Resources is expanding its employee recognition program for milestone years of service to include unclassified employees.

Beginning this month, unclassified employees who achieve a milestone year of service (i.e., five, 10, 15 years, etc.) will receive a gift from the university. Eligible employees will have a packet mailed to their home a few weeks prior to their anniversary month. The packet will include a certificate, letter and brochure detailing the gifts available and instructions for ordering the gift of choice. Unclassified employees reaching the 20-year milestone will receive the traditional gift options of a Kent State chair or a tree planted at one of the campuses in their name.

The new program offers a wide assortment of gift choices in each service category, including jewelry, electronics, sports-related items and more. Gifts may be ordered online or by telephone. The program was designed in partnership with Michael C. Fina Company, an industry leader in employee rewards and recognition. The company will be providing all functions of customer service and distribution associated with this program.

The existing years of service recognition program for classified employees will continue. Per university policy 3342-6-07.11, classified employees receive a certificate and a service achievement award — in the form of a cash payment — at every five-year milestone.

The expansion of the service program for unclassified employees is in keeping with the university’s focus on promoting and recognizing excellence. “Our employees work hard to help ensure the university’s continued success,” says Willis Walker, interim vice president for Human Resources. “Because classified employees receive a cash payment, the addition of an anniversary gift is a way to recognize and thank unclassified employees for their dedication and commitment.”

Since this is a new initiative, the online gift selection will be retroactive to unclassified employees who achieved a milestone year of service since July 1, 2007. Unclassified employees in this group will receive a mailing at their home address by the end of January.

As part of the recognition program, managers or supervisors of both classified and unclassified employees will receive an e-mail close to the date of the employee’s milestone anniversary. The e-mail will remind them of the upcoming service achievement and encourage them to recognize the employee during a staff meeting or other appropriate venue. The e-mail will also contain links to a Web site with suggestions on ways to recognize employees on their service anniversaries.

“Being recognized by the larger university is important,” says Walker. “But what’s even more important is the more personal recognition that an employee’s direct supervisor or manager can provide. It makes the employee feel valued and part of the team, which is a key factor in having a productive workforce.”

For questions on the new recognition program, contact Carla Wyckoff, human resources communications and special events coordinator, at cwyckof1@kent.edu or 330-672-5857, or Connie Crowley, employee relations specialist, at ccrowley@kent.edu or 330-672-7505.