FS Rewards & Recognition
FS has established a commitment to reward and recognize significant individual and team contributions and accomplishments of FS employees.
| Employee of the Month | Keystone Awards | Low Cost/No Cost |
Nomination Form (Web)
Nomination Form (Printable)
The FS Employee of the Month program recognizes an employee each month that goes “above and beyond” their normal duties to accomplish something exceptional. The FS Employee of the Month should continuously exhibit the FS organizational values of Truth, Respect, Excellence, Teamwork, and Integrity.
FS employees can nominate each other for this award. All nominations will be collected, reviewed, and rated monthly by the FS awards committee to determine the winner. The employee of the month will have the option to choose:
- Reserved parking spot close to the employee’s building for a month
- Annual membership to the Cornell Wellness Program
- Semester membership to the Cornell Ceramics Studio
- Two Season Big Red Passports to Athletic Events
- Two Cornell Cinema Discount Cards
- Meal Choice plan for dining at campus eateries and some local restaurants
If you need assistance submitting a nomination, feel free to contact a member of the FS Rewards & Recognition Committee: Judy Eckard, Wendy Franzese, Jim Kazda, Jessica Lang, Pam Lockwood, Paula Senno, Alexa Varricchio.
The Keystone Awards will be presented on an annual basis at the FS Leadership Council meeting. The number of awards given annually will be at the discretion of the FS awards committee and the VP of FS. Individuals will receive the entire bonus amounts; teams will split the award equally among team members. Awardees and nominators will also be recognized by having lunch with the VP of FS and the EVP.
Criteria
All nominees must consistently demonstrate the Cornell University Skills for Success, consistently demonstrate Facilities Services values, and have documented examples of accomplishments that align within one or more of the following five criteria.
- Keystone Award - Excellence in service to the organization and consistently providing quality output in work activities. This award is the highest honor and will be awarded to the individual or team that exemplifies excellence and many of the qualities listed below in their work. Bonus amount: $5000 gross.
- Cornerstone Award - Effectiveness Improvement - Implemented an innovative process improvement that had a significant cost and/or time savings for the organization. Bonus amount: $1000 gross.
- Cornerstone Award - Distinction in Teamwork - Had a positive impact on a team by giving distinguished service, making a difference, or implementing a quality of work/life improvement. Bonus amount: $1000 gross.
- Cornerstone Award - Dedication to Developing Others - Commitment to mentoring others and contributing towards the goal of succession planning. Bonus amount: $1000 gross.
- Cornerstone Award - Campus or Community Service - Volunteerism efforts either external or internal to Cornell University. Bonus amount: $1000 gross.
Eligibility
Regular and temporary Cornell University Facilities Services employees are eligible to be nominated by other Facilities Services employees. The employee’s most recent performance evaluation must be satisfactory to win the award. The nominee must have been employed by Cornell University for at least one year at the time of nomination.
Nomination Process
Nominations may be submitted by any temporary or regular Facilities Services employee. The nomination form must be completed to submit an individual or team for consideration. Nominations may include endorsements or letters of recommendation from other people who are able to assess the nominee’s performance. If you need assistance submitting a nomination, feel free to contact a member of the FS Rewards & Recognition Committee: Judy Eckard, Wendy Franzese, Jim Kazda, Jessica Lang, Pam Lockwood, Paula Senno, Hans vanBinsbergen, Alexa Varricchio.
Selection Process
All nominations will be reviewed by the FS awards committee. The committee will rank the nominations and forward the top ranked nominations to the VP of FS for decision about who will receive the award that year. The number of awards given each year may vary.
Timeline
Nomination period: January 1 - April 30
Nomination review period: May 1 - May 31
Award presentation: June 1 - July 31
The following is a list of a few possible ideas for supervisors to recognize contributions of employees.
- Treat people as they want to be treated.
- Volunteer to do someone’s undesirable task.
- Say thank you.
- Take a department break in honor of someone.
- Serve ice cream cups to employees on a hot day.
- Manager cooks breakfast on special occasions. Have open Q&A over meal to talk about work topics.
- Manager sends personalized birthday cards to everyone in the department.
- Recognize office professionals on Office Professionals Day.
- Dinner for two.
- Lunch with supervisor.
- Employee development by sending people to conferences or educational development events.
- Acknowledge years of service or a service award by a presentation of a certificate and a meal or small gift certificate.
- Recognize professional development (obtaining a degree, certification, license) with a raise or promotion.
- Celebrate birthdays as a department with cake and/or card.
- Host a holiday party that includes a meal and/or raffles.
- Host a summer work party.
- Recognize a safe work environment by awarding leave with pay for achieving milestones without injuries or lost work.
- Recognize volunteerism with a bonus, meal, or paid time off.
- Supervisors reward employees with a token free item (gift certificates, movie tickets, golf lessons, etc) from a department treasure chest.
- If you can think of other ideas, please let us know!