LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
  Policy 609.03 Employee Recognition Program
 
Policy Category:  Administrative
Distribution Level:  Directly-Operated
Responsible Party:  Human Resources
 
Approved by Marvin J. Southard, DSW, Director, on May 15, 2003
 
I.  PURPOSE
 
To establish policy and guidelines pertaining to the Employee Recognition Program (ERP) for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH).
 
II.  DEFINITION
 
Employee Recognition Program (ERP): is a mechanism designed to enhance employee morale and reward day-to-day achievement of standards of excellence. The Program applies to all DMH employees and programs and fosters a more satisfying work climate in which employee participation, initiative and teamwork are encouraged and rewarded.
 
III.  POLICY
 
The ERP was established to give special recognition to individual employees and programs that have demonstrated a commitment to achievement, dedication, service and/or enhancement of the public mental health needs in the community.

The ERP will be administered by an Employee Recognition Team (ERT) under the leadership of a manager appointed by the Department’s Performance, Excellence and Quality Improvement Council (PEQIC).

The ERT shall consist of employees who are permanent employees of DMH. There shall be at least five (5) but no more than eight (8) members in addition to the Manager. The membership shall include at least two program managers and a representative from the Human Resources Bureau, plus a Staff Advisory Committee member appointed by the Director. The remaining members shall represent line staff and may include former award recipients. Except for the Manager, all other ERT members shall have voting rights and serve a minimum of two (2) years. The Manager will have ongoing program responsibility as part of his/her permanent job description.

The responsibilities of the ERT will include the Department-wide coordination and execution of the ERP, except for any recognition efforts initiated by local Service Areas and/or centralized bureaus. Each Service Area and centralized bureau may, but are not required to, develop and implement an ERT-like program at the local level and may nominate or recommend the local honorees as candidates for the Department-wide ERP.

The ERT will organize and conduct formal award and recognition activities at appropriate Los Angeles County venues. An annual recognition award event will follow a timeline that allows for the nomination of County Employee of the Month for May of each year.

All recognition and reward expenses will be budgeted and paid for with funds from the Partnership in Excellence line item budget.

PEQIC shall have overall oversight of the Employee Recognition Program. Performance indicators will be maintained and submitted annually to PEQIC by the ERT, to include:
  • number of employee awards presented
  • number of certificates presented
  • number of program awards
IV.  PROCEDURES
 
V.  AUTHORITY
 
Ord 92-0041 - 1 (part), 1992; Title 5, Chapter 5.62, Los Angeles County Code
 
VI.  ATTACHMENTS