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Ohio Laws and Rules
(A) Participation. All state employees are encouraged to participate in a suggestion award system by submitting ideas which will reduce the cost or improve the quality of state service. Employees may participate either individually or as members of quality service through partnership or other teams.
(B) Employee eligibility. All state employees in good standing are eligible to submit suggestions and receive awards. For suggestions that fall within the scope of an employee’s assigned duties and responsibilities, cash awards may only be granted if such suggestions are significant and beyond normal performance expectations. Supervisors or administrators who have the authority to implement their own suggestions may receive cash awards only if the suggestions have application to other units or agencies.
(C) Eligible suggestions. A suggestion will be eligible for consideration if it identifies a specific improvement. The suggestion may be an entirely new idea or a new application of an existing idea resulting in improved quality, increased productivity, reduced cost or waste, increased safety, or other improvements of state service.
(D) Ineligible suggestions. The following types of suggestions are not eligible for consideration under the suggestion award program:
(1) Suggestions originally submitted more than three months after the idea has been fully implemented.
(2) Suggestions which are identical to an idea submitted to the suggestion program or actively considered by management during the previous twelve months, unless they enhance the original idea or lead to additional implementation.
(3) Suggestions that result from fraud, abuse, or misuse of a position in state employment or misuse of information or resources obtained outside of state employment.
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/30/2006 and 11/30/2011
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: RC 124.09(A)
Rule Amplifies: RC 124.17
Prior Effective Dates: Eff 01/09/76; 01/10/82; 04/29/94; 11/10/96
(A) Receipt. All suggestions must be signed by the employee or team and submitted to the agency suggestion award coordinator on an official suggestion form. Team suggestions shall contain the name and signature of all team members upon submission. Suggestions will be dated upon receipt by the agency coordinator. In the case of identical suggestions, the one bearing the earliest date of receipt will be considered first for any award.
(B) Distribution. A dated copy of the suggestion will be returned to the employee or team leader by the agency coordinator. An additional copy will be forwarded to the evaluator or evaluation team. If the suggestion applies to agency(s) other than the employing agency, a copy shall be forwarded to each appropriate agency for review. Suggestions that apply to multiple agencies may be forwarded to the department of administrative services for appropriate distribution.
(C) Evaluation. All suggestions shall be evaluated by the agency(s) within thirty calendar days of the date of receipt by the agency coordinator. The agency coordinator shall inform the employee or team leader of the results of the evaluation in writing.
(D) Implementation. If the suggestion is implemented, the employee’s or team’s agency coordinator will forward the suggestion and evaluation results to the department of administrative services for presentation to the suggestion award committee.
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/30/2006 and 11/30/2011
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: RC 124.09(A)
Rule Amplifies: RC 124.17
Prior Effective Dates: Eff 01-09-76; 01-10-82; 04-29-94; 11-10-96
(A) Amount of award. The suggestion award committee will review and shall have final determination of the type and amount of any award to be granted. Awards may be either monetary or non-monetary. Monetary awards may not exceed the statutory maximum.
(1) A cash award will generally be granted for a suggestion resulting in a significant cost savings. The amount of any cash award will be determined on the basis of the first year savings minus the amortized cost of implementation.
(2) A non-monetary award will generally be granted for a suggestion resulting in a minimal cost savings or in benefits which cannot be measured in terms of costs and savings. Non-monetary awards will be based on factors such as the degree of benefit and the extent of implementation.
(B) Additional criteria. In most situations the criteria in paragraph (a) of this rule will be adequate to determine cash awards. Where appropriate, the following additional factors may also be taken into consideration:
(1) If a cash award is granted for a team suggestion, the award will be divided equally among the members of the team that are listed on the suggestion. Each team member may receive up to the statutory maximum for qualifying suggestions.
(2) When investigation of a suggestion leads to or triggers an improvement, even though the suggestion itself is not adopted, an award may be authorized. In such a case, the award is determined on the basis of the amount the suggestion contributed to the improvement, and the extent of implementation.
(3) When an award is granted on the basis of estimated benefits and it is found that the benefits are substantially greater than expected, the employee or team may be granted an additional award.
(4) An employee or team member who submits a suggestion, but terminates state employment while in good standing before evaluation of the suggestion has been completed, will retain his or her entitlement to an award if the suggestion is implemented within a twelve-month period. In the case of the death of any employee, the award will be paid to the employee’s estate.
(5) Suggestions are protected against duplicate submissions for a period of twelve months following the date of receipt by the agency suggestion award coordinator. Any employee interested in continuing suggestion eligibility beyond that date must resubmit the suggestion.
(6) All suggestions become the property of the state of Ohio when submitted, and their use by the state shall not form a basis of a claim against the state of Ohio.
(C) Special awards. Special non-monetary awards may be granted to supervisors, evaluators, and coordinators who demonstrate outstanding support for the suggestion award program as determined by the suggestion award committee.
(D) Suggestion award committee. The suggestion award committee will consist of a minimum of seven members. The department of administrative services suggestion award program administrator will serve as chairperson. Other committee members will be appointed by the director of administrative services and will represent different state agencies. Equitable representation will be provided to both large and small agencies. Agency representatives will serve on a rotating basis. The suggestion award committee will review all implemented suggestions, and will make the final award determination. Five members present will constitute a quorum and a majority vote of those present will be required to carry a motion. The minutes of each committee meeting will reflect the actual vote on each award recommendation.
The suggestion award committee may, with the approval of the director, delegate the authority to approve awards for all implemented suggestions or for specific types of suggestions to the agencies responsible for reviewing and implementing the suggestions.
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/30/2006 and 11/30/2011
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: RC 124.09(A)
Rule Amplifies: RC 124.17
Prior Effective Dates: Eff 01-09-76; 01-10-82; 04-29-94; 11-10-96; 03-01-02
(A) Participation. Any state agency, office, board or commission may establish an employee recognition program for the acknowledgement of exemplary employee performance. All employees of state agencies, offices, boards and commissions and all employees paid in accordance with section 124.152 of the Revised Code and those employees listed in divisions (B)(2) and (4) of section 124.14 of the Revised Code are eligible to participate.
(B) Eligibility. All permanent employees paid in accordance with section 124.152 of the Revised Code and those employees listed in divisions (B)(2) and (4) of section 124.14 of the Revised Code and permanent employees eligible to receive employee recognition awards, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, are eligible to receive employee recognition awards.
(C) Eligible areas of recognition. An employee may be recognized for specific work performance or employee motivation and attitude, or other qualities that demonstrate exemplary employee performance. Achievement recognition is limited to work related performance.
(1) Work performance includes, but is not limited to, thoroughness, efficiency, accuracy, going beyond what is expected, taking the initiative to identify and solve problems, and working well with minimal supervision.
(2) Motivation and attitude includes, but is not limited to, showing enthusiasm and pride in work, being courteous and cooperative, and completing job assignments professionally and dependably.
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/30/2006 and 11/30/2011
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: RC 124.09(A)
Rule Amplifies: RC 124.17
Prior Effective Dates: Eff 01-27-92; 04-25-92
(A) Selection of nominee. Each agency, office, board or commission will review each nomination submitted by any employee eligible to participate in the employee recognition program and select the most exemplary employee.
(B) Amount of award. Each agency, office, board or commission shall determine the type or amount of award to be granted. Awards may include, but are not limited to, cash awards, additional leave, award ceremonies with refreshments, plaques and certifications, luncheons or other provisions approved by the director.
(C) Award presentation. Each agency, office, board or commission will be responsible for program implementation and award presentation.
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/30/2006 and 11/30/2011
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: RC 124.09(A)
Rule Amplifies: RC 124.17
Prior Effective Dates: Eff 01-27-92; 04-25-92