DeKalb County Human Resources Department

Employee

Rewards Program

This document is not a contract, either expressed or implied, and

the information within represents guidelines only. DeKalb

County Government reserves the right to modify, amend or

change any section(s) at any time. Every attempt will be made to

inform employees of any changes as they occur. However, it is

the employees responsibility to stay abreast of all County

policies, procedures and programs.

Reminder: Suggestions in this guidebook are not required and

may be implemented at the discretion of your department

head or designee.

Preface

This guidebook provides an Employee Rewards Program which

incentivizes employees of DeKalb County Government. The primary

objectives of the program are to:

- Systematically link rewards with exceptional performance and positive

behaviors

- Achieve a superior service delivery system that is timely, professional,

and courteous

- Encourage employees at all levels to consistently exceed customer

expectations

- Maintain the highest standards as we work together to meet the needs

of our internal and external customers

- Create a culture of recognition reinforcing employees who are

committed to their work, mission, and the strategic priorities of the

organization, so they feel valued

- Increase morale, productivity, engagement, and retention

Ultimately this program creates, through a combination of monetary and

non-monetary rewards, a system which motivates employees to provide

superior services to citizens and stakeholders of DeKalb County.

As every employee of the County serves DeKalb citizens, either directly

or indirectly, this guidebook may be used to acknowledge the superior

contributions of employees.

Table of Contents

Section 1. Monetary Rewards

I. PURPOSE ..................................................................................... 1

II. AWARD CATEGORIES. ............................................................. 1

A. Merit Increases (Pay-for-Performance)................................. 1

B. Performance Incentive Payment ........................................... 2

1. Conditions .................................................................. 3

2. Criteria ........................................................................ 4

3. Selection Process ........................................................ 4

4. Orientation .................................................................. 5

5. Award Payments ........................................................ 5

C. Monetary Spot Awards........................................................... 7

1. Award Amounts ......................................................... 7

2. Criteria ........................................................................ 8

3. Selection Process ........................................................ 9

Section 2. Non-monetary Rewards

I. PURPOSE ..................................................................................... 10

II. AWARD CATEGORIES ............................................................. 10

A. Non-monetary Spot Awards. .............................................. .10

1. Criteria ...................................................................... 11

2. Selection Process ...................................................... 12

B. Quarterly Awards ................................................................ 12

1. Criteria ...................................................................... 13

2. Selection Process ...................................................... 14

C. Annual Awards ..................................................................... 14

1. Criteria. ..................................................................... 15

2. Selection Process ...................................................... 16

3. Submission Procedures............................................. 16

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Section 1.

Monetary Rewards

I. PURPOSE Monetary rewards are tangible incentives used to recognize

employees on a job well done. Such rewards reduce turnover,

boost morale and loyalty, increase retention, and drive daily

employee performance linked to the Countys strategic goals.

II. AWARD CATEGORIES There are three monetary categories associated with this

program Merit Increases, Performance Incentive Payments

and Spot Awards. A brief overview of the merit increase

process is highlighted in paragraph A. The Performance

Incentive Payment and Spot Awards are provided according to

the criteria outlined in paragraphs B and C.

A. Merit Increases (Pay-for-Performance)

Merit Increases are part of a pay-for-performance plan and

used to reward performance of all employees who meet or

exceed expectations outlined by the employees

performance management plan. Each fiscal year, the

administration will determine if merit increases will be

awarded and the value of the increase based on available

resources.

The employees overall performance rating shall be used

to determine if a merit increase will be recommended and

the percentage of the recommended increase. For an

overall performance rating of Far Exceeds Standards,

Exceeds Standards, and Meets Standards, the amount

of merit increase for each rating shall be determined by the

budget allocated for merit increases. For an overall

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performance rating of Marginal Standards and Below

Standards, no merit increase will be processed and

employees will be placed on a Performance Improvement

Plan or may be subject to termination.

In accordance with DeKalb County Code Section 20-41,

A salary increase shall not be considered as an automatic

and routine right due an employee. All salary increases

shall be based upon quality and quantity of work as

reflected by the performance appraisal.

B. Performance Incentive Payment

A Performance Incentive Payment is a form of additional

compensation paid to employees or teams that exceed

expectations in any of the following three ways:

Exceptional Knowledge and Skills Enhancement;

Exemplary Customer Service; and Innovative Service or

Process Improvement.

This incentive payment is compensation beyond normal

wages and may be awarded after the appraisal period,

when budgetary constraints restrict the authorization of

merit increases. It is awarded to a select number of

individuals or teams for extraordinary performance or

distinguished activity during a specific period of time.

Performance incentive payments are subject to County

funding and, when applicable, in accordance with grant

regulations. The award timeframe will be the same for all

employees and must be within the first month after the

preceding quarter.

The intent of this program is to:

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Authorize a one-time per year performance incentive

payment for an individual or team

Assist managers in identifying high-performing

employees

1. Conditions

Exceptional Knowledge and Skills Enhancement

Received professional degree or

certification in an area related to job

performance

Achieved a noteworthy goal or completed a

project early and/or under budget

Implemented an idea which resulted in

significant added value to the department or

County

Performed in a way that brought

recognition to the County or department,

such as increasing public trust or enhancing

the County or department image

Exemplary Customer Service

Far exceeded performance in all

OneDeKalb customer service standards

Exceeded standard turnaround time on a

work task so a customer could achieve a

critical need

Followed through with a customer request

that was outside the normal scope of job

duties

4

Solved a significant customer service

problem

Innovative Service or Process Improvement

Improved methods and procedures with

increased efficiency, cost savings or

reduced waste to the County

Created systems that significantly reduced

exposure to industrial injuries and vehicular

accidents

Improved safety, health or working

conditions, including eliminating hazards

and reducing lost-time hours

Developed a program or process that

resulted in reporting more accurate results

and more efficient task completion

2. Criteria

An award recipient must be a non-temporary DeKalb

County Government employee with at least 12 months

of service and a current Meets Standards or above

performance evaluation. The recipient must also be an

active employee at the time of award and remain active

for a minimum of 90 calendar days. Performance

incentives will be divided and paid over two pay

periods. Employees who voluntarily separate within

the 90 day period must repay the full amount of

incentive received. Additionally, recipients must be at

p