Recognition Guidelines

Applies to: All staff employees in Olin Business School

GUIDELINES:
Issued: January 2025
Revised: N/A

PURPOSE:
To implement a formal department-wide recognition program with established written guidelines and processes that recognize employees and encourage and reinforce actions and behaviors that create a better working environment. The Olin Business School’s recognition program includes a variety of awards that acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional contributions of staff members in different areas. These awards are designed to highlight the diverse ways employees enhance the organization, support students, and contribute to a positive workplace culture. Olin will also sponsor awardees for recognition at designated University-Wide recognition events or ceremonies.

DEFINITIONS:

Eligible Employees: All exempt and non-exempt regular staff employees of the Olin Business School are eligible to participate in the employee recognition program

Nomination Criteria: A staff member must have been employed with the Olin Business School for at least one year to be eligible for nomination in a given fiscal year. This ensures that employees have had sufficient time to demonstrate their contributions and impact. Self-Nominations are only accepted for the Innovation Award and the Deans Award.

Award Limitation: While employees are eligible to be nominated for multiple awards, each employee can only receive one award per award cycle. This is designed to ensure that recognition is distributed fairly among all employees and highlights a variety of contributions across the school.

Ineligible Employees: Employees on leave without pay, or on a PIP or have disciplinary actions within the last twelve (12) months are not eligible for recognition under this guideline. A verbal warning is not considered disciplinary action for this guideline. The nominator and nominee must not be immediate family members. Immediate family includes a spouse, domestic partner, child, stepchild, grandchild, grandparent, parent, stepparent, parent-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother, sister, half/stepbrother, or half/stepsister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece or first cousin.

Consecutive Year Restriction: Previous award winners are not eligible to receive the same specific award in two consecutive years. However, they may be nominated for other awards within the program.

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GUIDELINES:
A. Award Types

• Dean’s Outstanding Performance Award ($1,000) – Presented by the Dean, this prestigious award recognizes staff who have demonstrated exceptional performance, leadership, and contributions toward the overall success and goals of the Olin Business School.
  • Criteria: High level of job performance, leadership qualities, and overall contribution to the school’s success. Self-Nominations are accepted for this award.
• Faculty Recognition Award For staff ($500) – Faculty member recognizes staff member for who have provided exceptional support to faculty, enabling them to achieve their teaching and research goals.
  • Criteria: Outstanding assistance to faculty, facilitating academic and research activities, and enhancing the overall educational experience.
• Inclusive Excellence Award ($500) – to recognize individuals or teams who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to fostering an inclusive and belonging-focused environment. This award celebrates those who not only support diversity but actively work to integrate inclusivity and belonging into all aspects of their work, relationships, and decision-making processes. Recipients of this award go beyond meeting the minimum standards of inclusivity—they are champions of creating spaces where all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.
  • Criteria: Commitment to Inclusion, Promotion of Belonging, Leadership and Advocacy, Inclusive Practices, Impact, Collaboration and Partnership
• Innovation Award ($500) – To recognize and honor staff member who demonstrate creative thinking, problem-solving, and the implementation of new ideas that lead to improvements in processes, services, or outcomes within the Olin Business School
  • Criteria: Creativity, implementation of innovative practices, and measurable impact on efficiency and effectiveness. Self-Nominations are accepted for this award.
• Outstanding Achievement in Student Service Award ($500) – To recognize staff members who consistently go above and beyond to provide exceptional service to students. It celebrates those who improve the student experience through proactive support, guidance, and dedication.
  • Criteria: Exceptional dedication to student needs, innovative solutions for student support, and positive impact on student success.
• Peer-to-Peer (Impact) Appreciation Award ($500) – To recognize staff member who make a difference in everyday work life, going above and beyond to help.
  • Criteria: Demonstrated teamwork, willingness to assist peers, and contributions to a positive work environment.
    

B. Compliance:
This employee recognition program will follow all University tax policies and procedures. All awards are considered supplemental wages and must be processed through the payroll system with appropriate federal, state, county and FICA/Medicare taxes withheld and is then included in the recipient’s Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement.

• PROCESS:
• The nominator completes the Staff Recognition Nomination Form on Olin Links under Human Resources
• The Organizational Development Coordinator will compile all nominations and send the names of those nominated to the employee’s immediate supervisor. Staff member’s eligibility will be checked with Olin’s HR department.
• The Committee will elect awardee for the awards. The award will be added to the employee’s paycheck
• The Organizational Development Coordinator will provide the HR Generalist with the employee’s name and the gift amount.
• The Awardees will receive an invitation to participate in the University’s recognition ceremony.

Timeline:
Nomination form must be submitted by March 31, 2025, to give committee members enough time to select the awardees. Selected awardees will be recognized at the University wide recognition ceremony in late spring.