Award Panels. Each facility will establish award panels consisting of management and bargaining unit employees. The composition and membership of each panel will be decided jointly by the local union and the Department. The local union will designate the bargaining unit panel members. Panel decisions will be made by consensus and will then be forwarded to the Director of the facility. Award panels will be formed at the beginning of assessment period. Panels will perform the following functions, maintaining the strictest confidentiality and avoiding even the appearance of conflicts of interest:
Award Panels. Each facility will establish awards panels consisting of an equal number of management and bargaining unit employees. The composition and membership of each panel will be decided jointly by the Local and the Department. The Local will designate the bargaining unit panel members. Panel decisions will be made by consensus and will then be forwarded to the Director of the facility. Awards panels will be formed at the beginning of assessment period. The goal of the panel is to ensure an impartial review of awards, which will be applied in a consistent, standard manner, based on mission-related criteria. The panel is further responsible for adopting rules and other operating parameters for how the panel meets and conducts its review. Panel members will maintain the strictest confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest. The panel may recommend a cash, honorary or informal recognition award, or recommend time off without charge to leave when considering employees for awards or recognition. The relative significance and impact of their contributions will be considered in determining which type of award constitutes appropriate recognition and for monetary awards, in determining the amount of money to be granted. Panel recommendations will be made by consensus and will then be forwarded to the facility Director or designee for final decision. If the final decision is contrary to the recommendations of the panel, the panel may request and the Director or designee should provide an explanation of the decision in order to improve the recommending process. Awards will be processed in an expeditious manner. The Department will provide an award recipient with written documentation that clearly articulates the specific reasons that the employee received the award. Employees are encouraged to relate this information to specific evaluation criteria when completing applications for merit promotion.
Award Panels. If panels are convened for non-performance review of awards for bargaining unit employees, the Union will be invited to attend in an observer role. Union representatives involved with the panels will be able to provide input to the discussions.
