AWARDS PROGRAM. 1. The Parties agree that the employee suggestion, incentive, and performance award programs are beneficial to both management and the employee. The Awards Program will be administered in accordance with 5 CFR Parts 451, 430, and 531, the USDA Guide for Employee Recognition, or as any of the foregoing are superseded. 2. Employee Recognition: An award is something bestowed or an action taken to recognize and reward individual or team achievement that contributed to meeting organizational goals or improving the efficiency, effectiveness and economy of the Forest Service operations or is in the public interest. Awards may have the effect of motivating employees to increase their productivity and creativity for the benefit of the agency and its customers. Awards programs will be fair in the distribution of awards. All employees will be given an opportunity to work at a level sufficient for award eligibility. Employees must have received at least a Superior or Outstanding summary rating to be eligible for a performance bonus. All awards other than quality step increases are available to temporary employees. However, Term employees are eligible for quality step increases. A. Nonmonetary Extra Effort Awards: recognition given for a specific outstanding accomplishment such as a superior contribution on a short term assignment or project, an act of heroism, scientific achievement, major discovery or significant cost savings. Types of these awards include; time off awards, keepsakes, letters of appreciation and honorary awards. B. Monetary Extra Effort Awards: recognition given for a particular accomplishment such as those defined in Section 2.a above. Dollar amounts are determined by the value of benefit and application of the contribution to the Forest Service’s mission or goals. Nonmonetary awards can be given in conjunction with monetary recognition. Types of these awards include extra effort and spot. C. Performance Bonuses: monetary recognition given for performing well over the appraisal cycle. Types of these awards include lump sum performance bonuses and Quality Step Increases. 3. Management will schedule an appropriate presentation of an award for an employee. 4. Upon request from the union and in accordance with applicable laws, management will provide the awards list for the last 3 years. The standard report will include: type of award, amount, date of award, pay plan, grade, series, title, bargaining unit status code, and organizational codes to Level 5. 5. A peer award program, wherein employees may recommend co-workers both monetarily or non-monetarily, may be established and is encouraged by management. 6. Whenever possible, recipients may be allowed a choice in the type of recognition they receive. For example, an employee may be offered the opportunity to select from amongst several kinds of non-monetary keepsakes for length of service recognition, or to select a time off award in lieu of monetary spot award. Once granted, time off awards cannot be converted to a cash payment. 7. All other aspects of the Awards Program may be discussed where appropriate, e.g. in accordance with government-wide law, rule, regulation, severe budget constraints, or other budget driven factors. 8. Management will make a good faith effort to include anticipated monetary awards in its yearly budget requests. Management shall also provide necessary training to employees to ensure understanding of the Awards Program consistent with the USDA Guide for Employee Recognition and Forest Service or Region 8 policies.
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Samples: Collective Bargaining Agreement, Collective Bargaining Agreement, Collective Bargaining Agreement
