Recognition and Rewarding Support Staff

It is the HoD’s responsibility to explore how to recognise and reward staff in the department and to either put in place strategies within the department or seek to utilise those provided by the institution. 

Strategies for recognition and reward are numerous and should be tailored to suit the individual’s needs and values. While some individuals value public recognition for accomplishments and achievements, others value financial rewards, others value the time and interest shown in their work or personal development or the support for personal development activities or even being prepared to assist when needed.

Formal institutional strategies for recognition and rewarding of staff include:

• Alty and VC Awards: These are given for completion of a further qualification including those completing ABET qualifications. The HR Division facilitates this process. As a HoD, you are invited to attend the ceremony that acknowledges these achievements for your staff. More detail is provided on the awards is provided at: http://www.ru.ac.za/humanresources/supportstaffmatters/recognitionandreward/altyandvcsawards/
•  Support Merit awards: This process requires that the HoD/manager makes an application on behalf of staff. However, staff find it demotivating to ask their HoD/manager to consider them for such a merit award. It is desirable that the HoD/manager is proactive in identifying deserving staff. More detail is available at:http://www.ru.ac.za/humanresources/supportstaffmatters/recognitionandreward/meritawards/
•  Long-service awards: The HR Division facilitates this process. As a HoD, you are invited to attend the ceremony that acknowledges the long service of your staff. More detail is provided on the awards is provided at:http://www.ru.ac.za/humanresources/supportstaffmatters/recognitionandreward/longserviceawards/

Other strategies that can be pursued but which are not currently formalised include:

• Career development discussions: Discussing a staff member’s future career plans and being prepared to invest time and energy in facilitating the needed development, is regarded as staff as recognition of their hard work and commitment to the department.
•  Support for staff development: Supporting a staff member’s request to participate in staff development activities can also be used as a strategy to recognise hard work and commitment;
•  Time-off: Where staff have been working very hard or have done a particularly good job or been prepared to work after hours e.g. for a departmental function, you may wish to surprise them with an afternoon off. Many staff view the flexibility shown around attending children’s functions, also recognition of hard work.

Within the department, the following may also be considered:

• Celebration of achievements;
• Public recognition of achievements at meetings;
• Small gifts e.g. bottle of wine, chocolates or flowers;
• Thanks to staff for a job well done