Section 6-B1905. NON-MONETARY AWARDS

 

1905.1Non-monetary awards listed in section 1902.1 (b) (1) through (4) of this chapter shall be granted as provided in this section. A non-monetary award provides recognition to an employee for his or her contributions to a District government agency, and may range from a small merchandise award as described in section 1905.2 of this section, to an honorary award such as the Distinguished Service Award described in section 1905.5 (c) of this section.

 

1905.2Tangible Item Awards are governed by the following:

 

(a)An employee may be granted a tangible item or items with a total monetary value of no more than fifty dollars ($50). A Tangible Item Award is an object such as a pin, plaque, or mug; a gift certificate worth monetary value; or a ticket to an activity or event worth monetary value, given to an employee to recognize a contribution to the District government on his or her part.

 

(b)Only one (1) Tangible Item Award may be granted for a single contribution on the part of an employee. An employee shall not receive more than one (1) Tangible Item Award in a six-month (6-month) period.

 

(c)Subject to the provisions in section 1903.1 of this chapter, a Tangible Item Award may be granted in addition to or in lieu of any other category of incentive award authorized by this chapter, including honorary awards for employees described in section 1905.5 of this section.

 

(d)Each agency shall inform the District Department of Human Resources of its use of tangible awards and submit their internal policy for official filing purposes.

 

1905.3Time-Off Awards are governed by the following:

 

(a)Time off without loss of pay or charge to leave may be granted as an incentive award pursuant to the provisions of this section to recognize employee contributions that do not meet the threshold criteria for monetary awards.

 

(b)In order to be eligible to receive this award, an employee must have made a noteworthy contribution to the success of the District government and the attainment of the individual agency’s goal. This may include timely completion of a project; extended periods of hours worked beyond the normal workday to complete a project (without additional compensation or other granted time off); demonstration of unusual creativity or innovation in solving a work-related problem; or a substantial improvement in individual performance that required the employee to invest personal time in acquiring new knowledge or skills.

 

(c)A personnel authority may delegate its authority under this section. For agencies under the personnel authority of the Mayor, this authority is delegated to managers and supervisors who have been delegated the authority to approve the leave of an employee pursuant to Chapter 12 of these regulations.

 

(d)Only one (1) Time-Off Award, not to exceed forty (40) hours of time off, may be granted for a single contribution on the part of the employee. The number of hours granted to an employee as a Time-Off Award shall not be based on the employee’s rate of basic pay, but shall be based on the value of the employee’s contribution.

 

(e)An employee shall not receive more than one (1) Time-Off Award in a six month (6-month) period.

 

(f)An employee shall meet job performance expectations and have a satisfactory level of attendance during the twelve (12) months prior to being recommended for a Time-Off Award.

 

(g) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, a Time-Off Award may be granted in addition to or in lieu of any other category of incentive award authorized by this chapter, including monetary awards described in section 1904 of this chapter and honorary awards for employees described in section 1905.4 of this section.

 

1905.4Honorary Awards for citizens and residents are governed by the following:

 

(a)Consistent with section 1900 of this chapter, the Mayor and other personnel authorities may grant honorary awards for citizens and residents.

 

(b)An Honorary Award for a citizen or resident may be combined with other nonmonetary awards, such as a Tangible Item Award with a total monetary value of no more than fifty dollars ($50).

 

1905.5Honorary Awards for employees are governed by the following:

 

(a)An Honorary Award may be granted to employees who make significant contributions to the public good or submit ideas or inventions that materially benefit the District of Columbia, as specified in this section and according to criteria established by the personnel authority.

 

(b)An Honorary Award to an employee may be combined with a monetary award in accordance with the criteria established in section 1904 of this chapter.

 

(c)The highest Honorary Award to an employee for a performance-type contribution is a Distinguished Service Award. A Distinguished Service Award is based on performance achievements sustained for a period of at least one (1) year, except for an award based on acts of bravery. An appropriate category of monetary award may accompany a certificate and pin for this honorary award. The categories for a Distinguished Service Award are as follows:

 

(1)Accomplishment of assigned duties relating to major programs significant to the entire District government in a manner considered exemplary when compared to all who have performed similar duties;

 

(2)Accomplishment of major changes in methods or procedures that resulted in significant improvements in operations or substantial savings to the District government;

 

(3)Demonstration of great courage and risk to personal safety while on duty by performing an act of heroism beneficial to District government employees, or in the interest of the general public; or

 

(4)Outstanding leadership in the administration of priority District government programs which results in highly successful accomplishments or highly improved methods to resolve problem situations.

 

(d)The second (2nd) highest Honorary Award to an employee for a performance type contribution is a Meritorious Service Award. An appropriate monetary award may accompany a certificate and pin for this honorary award. A Meritorious Service Award is based on performance achievements sustained for a period of at least one (1) year. The categories for a Meritorious Service Award are as follows:

 

(1)Accomplishment of supervisory or non-supervisory duties in an exemplary manner by setting a record of achievement and inspiring others to improve quantity and quality of work;

 

(2)Demonstration of unusual initiative and skill in devising new equipment or improving existing equipment, work methods or procedures; or conceiving inventions resulting in substantial savings in manpower, time, space, materials, or other items of expense;

 

(3)Achievement of outstanding results in improving the morale of workers which improve work performance or actively contribute to the goal of equal employment opportunity;

 

(4)Demonstration of unusual courage or competence in handling an emergency situation while on duty status resulting in a benefit to District government employees or in the interest of the general public; or

 

(5)Rendering professional or public relations services of unique or distinctive character worthy of special recognition.

 

(e)An Honorary award may be given for reasons other than the ones outlined in section 1905.5 (c) or (d) of this section, e.g., recognition of outstanding performance; length of service with the District government; appreciation for retirees; exemplary supervisory or managerial accomplishments; and other commendable accomplishments, and may be given in the form of a pin or certificate, or other small object honoring the achievement.

 

1905.6Length of Service Awards are governed by the following:

 

(a)A Length of Service Award may be granted to any employee who has served the District government for periods of ten (10), twenty (20), thirty (30), forty (40), or fifty (50) years.

 

(b)An employee granted this award is entitled to receive an emblem and a certificate signed by the Mayor or independent personnel authority, both of which shall specify the employee’s length of service.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 47 DCR 8102 (October 6, 2000); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 2244 (March 14, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 55 DCR 4352 (April 18, 2008).