Here are 10 different no-cost ways for agencies to appreciate and recognize the contributions of their employees:
| 1. | Place Governor’s Proclamation on agency web site and forward to each employee in hard copy or e-mail with message from agency director attached. | |
| 2. | Insert a payroll stub message from the Governor. | |
| 3. | Write a press release and/or a Letter to the Editor and send to the State’s major newspapers. | |
| 4. | Thank each employee personally. If you can’t thank them in person, send a hand-written note or email or make a phone call. | |
| 5. | Write a letter of recommendation or commendation to be placed in the employee’s personnel file. | |
| 6. | Contact your local newspaper and provide them with a news article on State Employee Recognition Day and ask them to feature one or two of your employees using quotes or photographs. If you have a Public Information Officer, involve him/her in the project. | |
| 7. | Post a “Recognition Bulletin Board” in each department or division and encourage employees to write accolades about other co-workers. They can write on their own division’s board as well as on other departments’ boards. (Peer-to-peer recognition is important, too!) | |
| 8. | Begin a scrapbook that details achievements throughout the year, including photographs. | |
| 9. | Establish a “Walk of Fame” and post any letters, e-mails, etc., that you receive complimenting the staff. | |
| 10. | Challenge another division or agency to a softball game or other sporting event and invite agency employees and families. |