University Business - September 2006 - (Page 31)

HUMAN RESOURCES Thankful Encounters In positively recognizing employees, it's the small things that count. By Carol Patton W names the scholarship, sets the criteria, ITH BIGGER BUDGETS and can sit on the scholarship-selection and higher profits, corporate committee, if desired. The foundation America sometimes outshines then announces the employee's name in higher education in areas such as compen- an e-mail that's distributed to all 5,000 sation. But here's one area where they're employees throughout the foundation on even turf: creatively rewarding and rec- and college district. ognizing employees. You have to thank people, thank Companies typically recognize pro- them often, and find creative ways to ductive workers with all sorts of material thank them, says Alma Padilla, direc- rewards that would leave some professors tor of operations at the foundation. She drooling. However, universities and col- believes this program not only recognizes leges have achieved similar results by employees for their accomplishments, but changing focus. Oftentimes, it's the small also sends a message about the importance things that people do or say that creates Employees share the of helping people in the community. the biggest impact. Other programs honor a school's Universities face the same thing as basic need to feel entire workforce. For five days in June, the corporate America, explains Bob Nelson, important, involved, 5,000 employees at the University of New an HR consultant and a professor at the Mexico in Albuquerque participate in a University of California, San Diego. We included, and series of events during staff appreciation think the things that are really important acknowledged. week, says Karin Retskin, administrative are the things we spend money on, but all coordinator for the school's staff council. evidence points to the fact that it's the way Although the activities vary from year you treat people, the way you show they're to year, all events are held during lunch- volved, included, and acknowledged when important and value what they did. time. For example, employees who moon- they've done a good job. So it's the intangible things that count. light as artists can display and sell their The need for pats on the back is real, Nelson says the No. 1 predictor of tenure creations anything from paintings to especially in an educational environment of employees in any industry is the rela- pottery to quilts in a makeshift gallery where there's a higher calling, says Nel- tionship that they have with their imme- on campus. Besides an opening reception, son, adding that employees take pride in diate supervisors. Likewise, his research there's also a people's choice award, which their contributions and want to be recog- has shown that employee praise is among is covered by the local newspaper. Retskin nized for them. the top 10 staff motivators. reminds staff about the show via e-mail, It doesn't take much to praise an em- mentions the names of the school's re- M&MS TO TRADING CARDS ployee. Saying a few words in the hallway. tirees who will be gallery sitting, and en- Some reward programs reflect the organi- Maybe circulating a thank-you letter from courages everyone to stop by. zation's culture. Take the Maricopa Com- a student or at staff meetings, or inviting On another day, a book exchange is munity Colleges Foundation in Phoenix, people to praise any co-worker for a job held. Staff who bring used books from which values community involvement. well done. home enter the event one hour before Each year, it presents five high achiev- Nelson, also author of 1001 Ways to ers who can be faculty, staff, or admin- Reward Employees Workman Publishing, istrators with a $1,000 scholarship that 1994 , says employees are all human and Carol Patton, a Las Vegas-based freelance writer, is awarded to a student. The employee share the basic need to feel important, in- specializes in covering human resources issues. www.universitybusiness.com September 2006 | 31 HR906.indd 31 8/21/06 3:54:24 PM http://www.universitybusiness.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of University Business - September 2006

Contents
College Index
Company Index
Advisory Board
Editor's Note
Behind the News
Viewpoint
Marketing
Human Resources
Money Matters
Community Colleges
Summer Conference Report
Learning After Loss
Not Your Typical Textbook Advice
A Greener Attitude
Mobile Technology: One For All
Lessons in Landlording
Business Technology
What's New
Calendar of Events
Direct Connect
End Note

University Business - September 2006