Executive Summary
This policy establishes a program of “Staff Employee of the Year” awards. Two awards, each consisting of a plaque and a cash award, are given each year. Nominations may be submitted to the Director of Personnel by any permanent employee of the University.
The purpose of this Policy is to establish a program of “Staff Employee of the Year” awards for staff employees.
I. Policy
“Staff Employee of the Year” awards will be awarded each year that funding is available as follows:
II. Eligibility
All permanent SHRA and EPS staff employees with two or more years of continuous service (at the time of nomination) with the University shall be eligible for consideration. An exception may be considered if an employee with less than two years of service has engaged in an act that meets the definition of safety and heroism as set forth by the Office of State Human Resources: “Demonstrated outstanding judgment or courage in an emergency, voluntarily risking his/her life, or exhibited meritorious action to prevent injury, loss of life or prevented damage to or loss of property.”
III. Award Categories
Award recipients shall be selected on the basis of outstanding achievement or service to the University, contributions to community and public service, or safety and heroism. An employee may be nominated in only one category per year.
One award may be given in each of the following categories:
- devotion to duty,
- innovation,
- community and public service, and
- human relations.
In addition, one or more awards may be given based on acts of safety and heroism.
IV. Award Descriptions
Awards will normally consist of a monetary award and a plaque, or similar type of recognition.
V. Selection
Nominations for Staff Employee of the Year Awards may be submitted by any permanent employee of the University.
Award recipients shall be selected by a Staff Employee of the Year Awards Selection Committee (Selection Committee). Representation on the Selection Committee shall be proportional to the number of permanent staff (EHRA and SHRA) employees in each division of the University. (See PIM 44.) The Provost and Vice Chancellors of each division will appoint employees to represent their divisions on the Selection Committee. The Director of Employee Engagement and Retention will serve as an ex-officio and non-voting member of the Selection Committee; will serve as recording secretary of the Selection Committee; and will call the first meeting of the Selection Committee annually.
The considerations and proceedings of the Selection Committee shall be kept confidential both during and after its deliberations and selections.
The Selection Committee may select only one award recipient for each of the qualifying categories with the exception of safety and heroism. Multiple employees may receive an award for safety and heroism. If the Selection Committee determines that there is not an eligible candidate for an award category, or if the nomination(s) submitted are not supportive of the award category, the Selection Committee may elect not to select an award recipient in that category.
VI. Responsibilities
- The Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources will publish appropriate guidance to implement this program in accordance with the provisions of this Policy.
- Nominations must be submitted to the appropriate department or office head in accordance with the schedule published by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources.
- Department and office heads will review and forward each nomination with appropriate comments through administrative channels to the Provost and Vice Chancellors in accordance with the published schedule.
- The Provost and Vice Chancellors will review all recommendations for employees within their respective divisions and forward not more than the prescribed number of recommendations with appropriate comments to the Selection Committee.
- The Chancellor (or a designated representative) will present the awards on behalf of the funding organization during the annual UNC Charlotte Staff Recognition Week activities.
Related Resources
- Staff Employee of the Year Program
- Staff Employee of the Year Nomination Process
- PIM 44: Guidance on the Administration of University Policy 101.11
- Governor’s Award for Excellence
- Administrative Rule: 25 NCAC 01C .0901
- State Human Resources Manual: Rewards and Recognition Policy
Authority
Policy Revisions
Updated February 25, 2025
Updated February 11, 2022
Revised January 9, 2013
These revisions were necessary because the University has grown considerably in staff size over the years, requiring many employees to assume added responsibilities and workload to keep the campus functioning effectively. The revisions provide additional ways to recognize strong staff contributions, particularly during periods of budget austerity.
Revised November 11, 2009
This University Policy was revised to reflect a change to the Office of State Personnel Manual, which allows that the criterion of two or more years of continuous service for staff employee of the year awards may be waived if an employee has engaged in an act that meets the criteria of safety/heroism as set forth by the Office of State Personnel.