Does your employer have an employee of the month program?

[Mac4life30]

If so what are your thoughts? Do you think it causes more tension then it does good?

I thought i was a shoe in for the award

1) Always come in 15 mins early
2) Never once missed a shift. I have actually come in sick.
3) Received constant praise from District Managers and Guests.
4) When I am off if they call because they need me I come in.
5) Started a page (with approval) to display photos of all our happenings.
6) On my own took the time to come of with a series of different possible events. I again received praise.
7) I have been aced if I would like to be lead one day.

Yet I don't win. Is it wrong to ask where I failed?

Do you believe recognitions such as this do more harm then good? I am all in favor of recognition. I am a huge advocate on the subject. I just feel there is a right way an a wrong way. Would I have felt diffrently if I had won? Of course, but Im sure some of my coworkers would have a case of sour grapes also.

 

[Allison]

First of all, just because you didn't get the award doesn't mean you failed.

Second, I would not ask about it.

The person who received the award must have done some fine work too. This is not a reflection on you. It's recognizing one person at a specific point in time.

I hate that organizations can't win either way with this type of thing because it seems like no matter what they do, somebody is upset. If you are in favor of recognition, then accept that someone else got it.

Let it go and move on.

 

[Mac4life30]

I don't blame the organization I just think either recognize everyone or do it privately. Singling out one individual in front of others I think sends the wrong message. I will move on but just wanted to voice my thoughts here and only here.

 

[Allison]

I don't agree with that philosophy. This is not an elementary age kids sport where everyone gets a participation ribbon. What is wrong with recognizing the best of the best? These people should be applauded and recognized.

 

[superme80]

I worked for a company that had Employee of the month. It almost always went to those who complained the most. I guess it was a way to shut them up. Very irritating.

 

[sam_gordon]

If so what are your thoughts? Do you think it causes more tension then it does good?

I thought i was a shoe in for the award

1) Always come in 15 mins early
2) Never once missed a shift. I have actually come in sick.
3) Received constant praise from District Managers and Guests.
4) When I am off if they call because they need me I come in.
5) Started a page (with approval) to display photos of all our happenings.
6) On my own took the time to come of with a series of different possible events. I again received praise.
7) I have been aced if I would like to be lead one day.

Yet I don't win. Is it wrong to ask where I failed?

Do you believe recognitions such as this do more harm then good? I am all in favor of recognition. I am a huge advocate on the subject. I just feel there is a right way an a wrong way. Would I have felt diffrently if I had won? Of course, but Im sure some of my coworkers would have a case of sour grapes also.

We don't have an employee of the month program. Personally, I'm not sure the things you list are qualifications for an employee of the month award.

To me, an EOTM is the "problem solver". It's the employee who goes above and beyond to benefit the company or coworkers. JMO.

 

[HM]

I used to work for a restaurant that did this. One waiter/bartender got the award just about every month. He was outstanding. Worked hard, never complained, got along with everyone, and most importantly picked up all the jobs and grunt work no one else would do (like when the dishwasher called in sick). They practically had to finagle a way for someone else to win once in a while.

 

[SpaceCadet]

Yes they do and I won it in July. It is voted on by both your peers and also the Residents of the Nursing Facility. They have a little party each month with Cake to celebrate the winner.

 

[Mac4life30]

I don't agree with that philosophy. This is not an elementary age kids sport where everyone gets a participation ribbon. What is wrong with recognizing the best of the best? These people should be applauded and recognized.

I am not saying you can't do that. I encourage recognition. I'm just saying the way it's done i don't agree with. Your going out of your way to say everyone deserved it but only one can get it and the decision was hard yada yada yada. If everyone deserves it recognize everyone. You single out one individual and I think that ends up causing more harm then good.

 

[cabanafrau]

I don't blame the organization I just think either recognize everyone or do it privately. Singling out one individual in front of others I think sends the wrong message. I will move on but just wanted to voice my thoughts here and only here.

We don't have it where I work and I never really thought about it. DH works for a very large corporation who has some employee recognition programs, but not employee of the month.

Honestly I think you're being a tad petty if you feel you were a shoo in, yet think singling one person out sends the wrong message when you were not selected. Sounds like you're doing a good job and are getting positive feedback, sure would be a shame if any of this sour grapes seeped into your attitude & changed how you interact w/ others or are perceived.

 

[Mac4life30]

We don't have an employee of the month program. Personally, I'm not sure the things you list are qualifications for an employee of the month award. To me, an EOTM is the "problem solver". It's the employee who goes above and beyond to benefit the company or coworkers. JMO.

how can the things I do not be above and beyond? I don't have to come in when they call asking me for a favor? I don't have to on my own stay late or come in early and start working. I don't have to submit ideas that get recognized. I don't have to go the extra mile and be asked to work the night prior to a district visit because I do what I do so well. So yes I do deserve the recognition but so does everyone else . Otherwise tell them where they went wrong.

 

[Allison]

I am not saying you can't do that. I encourage recognition. I'm just saying the way it's done i don't agree with. Your going out of your way to say everyone deserved it but only one can get it and the decision was hard yada yada yada. If everyone deserves it recognize everyone. You single out one individual and I think that ends up causing more harm then good.

But you were good with it when you thought you were a shoe in?

Not everyone deserves it. It sounds like they picked who they thought was the best of the best during that particular month. Is that not the case?

Maybe you will get it another time.

 

[Nancy]

We do and I like how we do it here. Everyone has the chance to nominate someone each month. Once all the nominations come in an email goes out with the nomination minus the person's name. They are listed as he/she in the email. We all then get to vote on who we feel is the best person to get it that month. I like that it is not 1 manager picking and choosing and that the nominees are chosen by their peers and the EOTM is also picked by their peers.

I would not say something about it if I was never picked..for all I know I was never nominated..I sure know I never won it...but I come in and go above and beyond everyday. That is how I am and I don't really feel the need for major recognition for doing my job well...other than a raise of course.

 

[kellyg403]

OP, sorry you are disappointed. One thing came to mind when reading the OP was that you were happy when you thought you would be 'singled' out as employee of the month, but now think everyone should get private recognition or feedback because you didn't.

If you are interested in the why's, I can't imagine not being able to go to my supervisor and opening some type of dialogue if the 'award' was something I am hoping to achieve. Then again, I wouldn't really be going to work daily wondering what I can do to achieve said award either, so it would be a wash to me.

Do I believe it in? Sure, why not. We have an employee of the quarter thing. I have yet to be selected in several years. But, I have been given many promotions and raises over the years as well as wonderful feedback on my performance. So, awards aren't what I am shooting for. They don't mean much to me. Honestly, my line of work, they don't really mean much. I guess if I was an actress getting a Emmy would be important!

Kelly

 

[justcantwait]

We have a program here. You get nominated by a peer, then there's a random drawing from all of that month's nominations. The winner is then announced by email, quoting some of the reasons they were nominated, and those who didn't "win" are recognized as well. To be honest, it kind of becomes a joke at times, because people were putting in nominations for people who were out on worker's comp, or who really didn't want any kind of recognition. And it cheapened the meaning for those who really deserved it and were chosen. So, yes, I was chosen one month. Still not a big fan. I'd rather have it completely random (ie everyone who has a birthday this month is put in the pool and one person chosen for recognition). I do what I do, as well as I do it, because that's what my conscience and my work ethic tells me to do, and because I enjoy it. The rest is just gravy.

Kathy

 

[sam_gordon]

how can the things I do not be above and beyond? I don't have to come in when they call asking me for a favor? I don't have to on my own stay late or come in early and start working. I don't have to submit ideas that get recognized. I don't have to go the extra mile and be asked to work the night prior to a district visit because I do what I do so well. So yes I do deserve the recognition but so does everyone else . Otherwise tell them where they went wrong.

I'm sorry, but (again IMO), no, working extra time does not equal "going above and beyond" when it comes to EOTM.

Do you learn other jobs? Do you do those other jobs? Do people who do those other jobs come to you for help (your knowledge)? Do you come up with new procedures that make things more efficient? Do you try to teach coworkers how to do things? Do you solve a problem before your bosses even know there's a problem? Do your bosses give you problems to solve because they know you can solve them? THESE are examples of "going above and beyond" in my opinion.

 

[indygirl99]

how can the things I do not be above and beyond? I don't have to come in when they call asking me for a favor? I don't have to on my own stay late or come in early and start working. I don't have to submit ideas that get recognized. I don't have to go the extra mile and be asked to work the night prior to a district visit because I do what I do so well. So yes I do deserve the recognition but so does everyone else . Otherwise tell them where they went wrong.

Sounds like you do enough patting yourself on the back that they really don't feel the need to do any more.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

It sounds like you are being a Bitter Betty because you didn't win. If you had won you would have been fine with one employee (you) being singled out. If your attitude at work is like your attitude in this thread then maybe that is why you didn't win.

 

[mom2rose&john]

If so what are your thoughts? Do you think it causes more tension then it does good?

I thought i was a shoe in for the award

1) Always come in 15 mins early
2) Never once missed a shift. I have actually come in sick.
3) Received constant praise from District Managers and Guests.
4) When I am off if they call because they need me I come in.
5) Started a page (with approval) to display photos of all our happenings.
6) On my own took the time to come of with a series of different possible events. I again received praise.
7) I have been aced if I would like to be lead one day.

Yet I don't win. Is it wrong to ask where I failed?

Do you believe recognitions such as this do more harm then good? I am all in favor of recognition. I am a huge advocate on the subject. I just feel there is a right way an a wrong way. Would I have felt diffrently if I had won? Of course, but Im sure some of my coworkers would have a case of sour grapes also.

I don't think you should look at it as failing. It may take more time and patience to receive the award. Take time to think about why you are so upset about not winning. Are you looking for a pat on the back by your superiors and peers? What qualifications are there to become employee of the month? (If it's merely the above stated 1, 2,3,4,6 & 7 then anyone can do that and then the award becomes superficial.) If Number 5 is going above and beyond your job description, how long have you executed the page? To become bitter about not receiving the award this time only hurts you. Instead of the "why waste my time mentality", use it to motivate you to continue doing your best. While it is nice to be recognized it shouldn't be your ultimate goal.

 

[maxiesmom]

It sounds like you are being a Bitter Betty because you didn't win. If you had won you would have been fine with one employee (you) being singled out. If your attitude at work is like your attitude in this thread then maybe that is why you didn't win.

This times 1000. You don't really have a problem with the program. You are just mad it wasn't you who was picked.

I'm thinking this is what happens when kids all get ribbons just for showing up.