BRAVO AWARD PROGRAM October

Introduction Purdue University’s Bravo Award Program serves to highlight the excellence that exists in all areas and job functions across the University. The Bravo Award Program is an after-the-fact discretionary award program designed to provide recognition for substantial accomplishments achieved by employees that extend well beyond regular work responsibilities. 2

Award Criteria Bravo Awards can be provided to eligible individuals, teams, or work groups who make significant one-time contributions to the University's or the work unit's mission or goals. Bravo Awards are not a means of providing additional pay for performing normal duties and responsibilities, as described in the participants’ position description, nor are they meant to be a replacement or substitute for a merit, promotion or equity increase. 3

Award Categories o Moving the University Forward Accomplishments or contributions that transform or advance University objectives (i.e. initiatives that improve graduation rates, developing programs to measure student academic knowledge, enhancing the academic excellence of the University, improving student affordability, etc.). o Operational Excellence Extraordinary effort during times of critical department need (e.g., contribution that clearly and significantly impacts the accomplishment of important and critical business operational goals and deliverables). 4

Award Categories o Innovation/Creativity Innovative work or suggestions, well beyond standard job requirements, that significantly improve operational efficiencies, introduce a new or modified business practice or improve work process, workflow or customer service. o Fiscal Stewardship Significant cost saving or cost avoidance realized beyond normally expected or established standards. 5

Eligibility A faculty / staff member must: o Have completed at least three months of service; o Have no outstanding disciplinary actions; o Be in “active” employment status at the time the Bravo Award is paid out. 6

Eligibility The following classifications are not eligible to participate in the Bravo Award Program: o Executive Officers o Upper-level Management Positions (i.e., Department Heads, Associate/Assistant Vice Presidents, Associate/Assistant Provosts and Directors who report to a Vice President) o Student Employees o Graduate Staff o Temporary Staff o Visiting Faculty o Limited Term Lecturers o Postdoctoral, Resident, or Intern appointments o Employees who have a specific employment contract with the University that links additional compensation to their performance. 7

Program Funding The Bravo Award Program is supported by unit/departmental operating funds. The maximum dollar amount that can be awarded over the year is determined as follows: Total CUL x 7.5% x $1,000 (maximum award amount) = maximum fiscal year limit 8

Award Amounts/Payment o Bravo Awards are intended to recognize and reward excellence in University service, significant achievements and contributions, and outstanding individual and team performance. Each unit will have the flexibility to allow for recognition in ways that are meaningful, fair, and clearly distinguish levels of performance within the specific work unit. o The award amounts are $500, $750 or $1,000. o A faculty/staff member may not be rewarded twice for the same achievement. o Individual faculty and staff are limited to two (2) Bravo Awards per fiscal year. o Awards will be processed with the regular payroll and are subject to applicable tax withholdings and W-2 reporting. 9

Notes o Bravo Awards will not be used in calculating any applicable benefits (i.e., retirement, health, life insurance, disability, etc.). o Bravo Awards are a one-time discretionary cash award and are not added to the base pay of the individual, or, if applicable, credited toward overtime compensation. o All award earnings are considered taxable income in the year in which they are paid. Appropriate federal and state income taxes will be withheld at the rates in effect at the time of the payout. o The Bravo Award Program is not an entitlement. Bravo Awards are made based on extraordinary performance and the availability of funds. The amount of any Bravo Award is determined at the sole discretion of the University. Such determinations will not be eligible for grievance under any of the University’s formal grievance processes for faculty or staff. 10

Questions – Please Contact: Bravo Award Program 11