1. Benefits Administration Manual Training:
Merit Award Program
Section 2100

2. Merit Award Program Overview
BAM Section 2100 Contents
2101. General Information
2102. Forms Distribution
2103. Eligibility
2104. Participation
2105. Resource Guide
2106. Tax Withholding
2107. State Controller’s Office
2108. CALHR Contacts
2109. Website
View all BAM Section 2100

3. Merit Award Program Objectives
Explain the purpose and authority of the Merit Award Program (MAP).
Describe the different programs and their requirements.

4. Merit Award Program History
The Merit Award Program was established by the California Legislature in 1950 as an incentive award system to recognize employee's contributions to state government.

5. Merit Award Program Components
The Employee Suggestion Program.
The Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Program.
The Superior Accomplishment & Sustained Superior Accomplishment Awards Program.
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CalHR also administers the 25-Year Service and Retirement Awards.
DGS is responsible for the contract.

6. Merit Award Program Governance
CalHR Benefits Division, has administrative responsibility over the Merit Award Program.
All state departments participate in the program with a designated employee responsible for the MAP activities.
Each has a specified Merit Award Administrator.
All awards are funded by the department that benefits from the idea or nomination.

7. Employee Suggestion Program
Innovative Ideas at work!

8. Employee Suggestion Program (1 of 14)
A program that awards state employees for their innovative ideas which result in a direct benefit to the state.
Cash awards range from $50 up to $50,000 for an implemented suggestion not within the Suggester's normal duties.

9. Employee Suggestion Program (2 of 14)
Three cash award types:
Improved Procedures
Improved Safety
Cash Awards (Tangible)

10. Employee Suggestion Program (3 of 14)
If a suggestion is adopted and the award is under $5,000, the Departmental Merit Award Administrator submits the CalHR148 Payroll Authorization Form to Personnel for award payment.

11. Employee Suggestion Program ( 4 of 14)
CalHR 148 is available on page 15 of the Administrator’s Handbook.
Contact CalHR Merit Award Administrator for the Administrator’s Handbook and CalHR 148.

12. Employee Suggestion Program (5 of 14)
Cash awards for adopted suggestions shall not be less than $50, or more than $50,000.
Awards of more than $5,000 will be granted only upon approval by concurrent resolution of the Legislature.

13. Employee Suggestion Program (6 of 14)
Track success of concurrent resolutions on

14. Employee Suggestion Program (7 of 14)
Look around!
Do you see a problem?
Do you have an innovative idea that will:
Improve state operations?
Increase revenue?
Eliminate safety hazards?
Improve procedures?

15. Employee Suggestion Program (8 of 14)
Submitting your idea is easy!
Complete the Employee Suggestion Form STD 645.
Attach all documentation that will substantiate your idea.
Submit your suggestion to your Merit Award Administrator.

16. Employee Suggestion Program (9 of 14)
Can a suggestion be job related?
A Personnel Technician handled a personnel form on a daily basis. She suggested adding a box on the form for the employee’s home telephone. Management adopted the suggestion, but denied the award.
Their reasoning?

17. Employee Suggestion Program (10 of 14)
She was in Personnel and used the form every day, so she should recommend changes to improve the form as part of her job. But - she did not have the independent authority to make changes to a departmental form.
She received an Improved Procedures award.

18. Employee Suggestion Program (11 of 14)
Two samples of cost savings awards:
A database update that processed information on behalf of a staff member who otherwise was dedicated to the information processing full time. This suggestion allowed for the employee to be redirected to support other critical work.
Designed a bed frame that lasts ten years instead of 1 to 2, and buoyed patient morale.

19. Employee Suggestion Program (12 of 14)
Resources:
Evaluator’s Handbook
Merit Award Administrator's Handbook
Both Handbooks will be available in BAM Section 2105 “Resource Guides,” until they are, contact the CalHR Statewide Merit Award Administrator for copies.

20. Employee Suggestion Program (13 of 14)
Online Resources:
Suggester Satisfaction Survey added this year at
Survey to be processed annually by CalHR.

21. Employee Suggestion Program (14 of 14)
Training/Webinars:
Merit Award Administrator – Roles and Responsibilities in the Employee Suggestion Program
Statewide Employee Suggestion Program – Innovative Ideas at Work!

22. Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Award
The highest honor California bestows on its public servants.

23. Medal of Valor (1 of 5)
Special Act/Special Service Nomination (Gold/Silver - Medal of Valor):
Departments nominate eligible employees.
The Merit Award Board votes on the nominations.
The CalHR Director makes the final determination.
A Gold or Silver medal with lapel pin, certificates and citation are presented to the employee by the Governor in a public ceremony.

24. Medal of Valor (2 of 5)
Special Service Award (Silver Medal) For an act of heroism by a state employee extending above and beyond the normal call of duty or service performed at personal risk to his or her safety to save human life or state property.

25. Medal of Valor (3 of 5)
Special Act Award (Gold Medal) For an extraordinary act of heroism by a state employee extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty or service, performed at great risk to his or her own life in an effort to save human life.

26. Medal of Valor (4 of 5)
On April 12, 2016, we recognized and awarded 15 heroes from five state departments.

27. Medal of Valor (5 of 5)
Medal of Valor recipients are added to the Medal of Valor webpage also accessible by the public at a kiosk in the Capitol.
Nominations are welcome year-round!
Information about nominations is available at

28. Superior Accomplishment & Sustained Superior Accomplishment Awards
For a performance resulting in exceptional contribution to state government, by an individual or a team.

29. Superior Accomplishment Award (1 of 6)
Nomination process:
Agencies/departments complete STD. 278 form for each award.
Silver awards range from $25 to $250 per individual or team.
Gold awards range from $50 to $500 per individual or team.

30. Superior Accomplishment Award (2 of 6)
What makes the Sustained Superior Accomplishment Award different than the Superior Accomplishment Award?
Sustained Superior Accomplishment Award is for the sustained act of superior job performance over a two-year period.
Awards are from $25 up to $250. The maximum standard is one nomination per 100 employees.

31. Superior Accomplishment Award (3 of 6)
All active and retired state employees may receive an accomplishment award.

32. Superior Accomplishment Award (4 of 6)
Departmental Merit Award Administrators submit a list of awardees to Personnel with the CalHR 148 Payroll Authorization Form.

33. Superior Accomplishment Award (5 of 6)
Payroll process and procedural questions should be directed to SCO's Personnel/Payroll; Services Division (PPSD) Personnel Liaison Unit (916) or,
PPM Manual Section G

34. Superior Accomplishment Award (6 of 6)
How you celebrate your Superior Accomplishment and Sustained Superior Accomplishment Awards helps employees feel valued!
Including awards in personnel files is a benefit to all – employees, supervisors, and the Merit Award Program!

35. 25-Year Service and Retirement Awards

36. 25-Year Service and Retirement Awards (1 of 4)
25-Year Service Award
A state employee with 25 years of completed state service, may be presented by the appointing power a certificate, plaque, or other suitable memento. The cost is not to exceed $90.
A certificate is automatically included with each 25-Year Service Award.

37. 25-Year Service and Retirement Awards (2 of 4)
25-Year Retirement Award
A retiring State employee with at least 25-years of service may receive a Retirement Award.

38. 25-Year Service and Retirement Awards (3 of 4)
As of February 1, 2013, a mandatory three year contract was put into place.
There is a six month extension to July 31, 2016 currently in effect.
The vendor is MTM Recognition.
Core/non-core gifts are available.
25-Year certificate is included with non-core selections.

39. 25-Year Service and Retirement Awards (4 of 4)
Information on the 25-Year Service and Retirement Awards, the current vendor contract, and Frequently Asked Questions may be accessed at:

40. Merit Award Program Conclusion
Recognizing state employees for their dedication, innovation, excellence, and heroism since 1950! Amado Luis Salinas, Medal of Valor Awardee

41. Questions
Any questions?

42. Contact Info. – Mailing Address
Department of Human Resources
Attn: Merit Award Program
1515 S Street, North Building, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA

43. Contact Info.41
Jonathan Calabretta, Statewide Merit Award Administrator (916) Merit Award Program Landing Page: