Does your employer have an employee of the month program?

[LiveYourLife]

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.

I'm going to have to agree with Sam_Gordon. In looking at your list, and being in a Leadership role with direct reports for eons, you are doing what is expected of you. Basically, you are meeting expectations and not exceeding them.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Part of being an adult is realizing that sometimes you don't win, even when you think you should. There is always someone better than you and no one is irreplaceable.

I like my job and I strive to be good at it but I couldn't care less if I get an award from work or not. I know I do a good job and I get my raise each year. That's good enough for me.

 

[kimmar067]

....E-O-T-M award ....GOOD one!

 

[kimmar067]

It sounds like you are being a Bitter Betty because you didn't win......

....sounds more like an "Attitudy Judy" to me....

 

[NHdisneylover]

The name was bugging me as familiar so I finally looked it up.

I would say based on your Christmas gift thread (OP hates Christmas Day because others do not provide thoughtful enough gifts to him an they also do not fully appreciate the awesomeness of the gifts he gets them), and this one, you have a really hard time seeing how you truly fit into a group.

You seem to see yourself as much more important than you really are (I agree with those who say that you basically listed doing your job but not exceeding expectations) while downplaying the contributions of others.

I am sorry to say that this is not the kind of attitude that makes someone pleasant to work with, nearly guaranteeing no Employ of the Month status if you let it show (and talking to your boss about why you did not get it would be a way f doing that).

I do not know what to suggest to help you see things more realistically and have a more grounded view of how you compare to others, but I hope you can figure it out. Felling hurt and bitter at major holiday and whenever others are recognized at work, etc is not a happy life to lead.

 

[Hrhpd]

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.

You were just fine with the program when you thought you were a shoo in for Employee of the Month but now that it was somebody else, the program is no good?

Do you really feel you are the only one who deserves singling out? Do you really feel that you are beyond the best person in your office and nobody else deserves recognition? That if it is not you, it should not be anybody?

In my places of employment that have had employee of the month programs, one of the biggest criteria was being a team player. They were the people who best supported others on their team along with being innovative and hardworking. They were the ones who did not think they were much better than everybody else. They were the ones who worked their tails off without wanting recognition.

 

[scrapquitler]

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.

Based on the company I work for, you wouldn't get the employee of the month award. You did everything that is expected, and where I work, all that what you have listed will get you is an annual job evaluation that says "meets expectations"

I see (and apparently my employer does too) Employee of the month as being someone who is WAY above and FAR BEYOND expectations. Where I work, people who come up with HUGE money saving ideas (tens of thousands of dollars a year) or come up with some FABULOUS new program for outreach or who do something extraordinary to save a clients life (really) are the ones who win the employee of the month recognition. The expectation is to do everything right like you already are doing, that's not worth of excess praise, that's what you get paid for.

 

[grafxgirl]

Yes, but all the employees get a say in who it should be each month. It's nice because the employee gets to be recognized by the peers rather than by management alone.

 

[mickeymedic]

I work in sales and marketing. We have a Representative of the Week and a Representative of the Quarter. Both awards are based on production. The weekly winner can be chosen based on a combination of production and manager discretion. For example, I had been Rep of the Week for a couple of weeks in a row. The following week, one of my coworkers technically had a lower production rate than me, but she had improved drastically after a several week slump. She was awarded Rep of the Week and I was very happy for her. It was the boost she needed to carry the momentum that she had gained. (We are a tight-knit group and are happy to cheer each other on.) The quarterly award is based solely on a pre-determined formula. Winners of the weekly contest get their name written in marker at the bottom of the production board and get to display a star-shaped ballon at their desk. Winners of the quarterly contest get their name added to a plaque on the wall. For us, it is fun but at the same time not a big deal - especially for the weekly recognition.

 

[tcherjen]

Ours does, I have never been chosen either. I am happy for the people that are though.