A critical attribute of an employer of choice is the ability to notice and acknowledge the efforts of the people who make up the organisation. Through a comprehensive Staff Reward and Recognition program, Council has awarded 31 staff members in the past year alone. And it’s not all about money.
“Through a consultative process, we developed a reward scheme for employees at the end of their salary band to be able to access rewards when they achieve specific criteria linked to the corporate values,” said Manager Human Resources Betsie Young.
The days of the ‘gold watch’ may be over, but longevity is certainly still rewarded at Glen Eira. In the Appreciation of Years of Service Ceremony, employees are recognised for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service. This year Council recognised 60 people at this ceremony.
People do not always choose or prefer financial rewards and for that reason Glen Eira offers Rostered Days Off (RDO) and a fractional model of employment that allows the opportunity for part time hours.
“There are many avenues for recognition and reward,” Betsie Young said. “For someone who thrives on teamwork and connecting with colleagues, the Social Club is very active. If it’s career progression that matters, the promotional opportunities are here and regular CEO functions keep everyone in the loop.
“It comes down to understanding what is important to people; benefits like paid parental leave can be far more valuable to someone’s career in the long term than a percentage pay increase. Council provides paid parental leave and the option of taking up to two years unpaid and coming back to work part time.”
Recognition among colleagues for ‘extra-curricular’ efforts can also enhance the sense of achievement and strengthen camaraderie in the workplace.
OHS Support Officer Jim Kokkolas was featured in the staff newsletter for his silver medal at the Victoria Police and Emergency Services Games.
“There are so many ways to thank and congratulate people,” said CEO Andrew Newton. “When we look for evidence of people’s work so we can reward the effort, it really is a case of ‘the more you look, the more you find’.”
