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Ohio Laws and Rules
(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