Does your employer have an employee of the month program?

[sonnyjane]

Unless there is some significant reward for winning "Employee of the Month" (i.e. cash or an extra vacation day, etc.) then I would NEVER put this much stock into winning. If the only reason you've been doing the things you've mentioned was because you wanted to win an award then I'd reevaluate your strategy. You should want to do those things to advance your own career and improve your company as well as the customer experience. If you've been taking on projects only in hope of getting recognition then perhaps those things you focused on, as others have mentioned, aren't the types of actions that the company values in their "Employee of the Month".

 

[Handbag Lady]

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.

Maybe the other employee went four steps above where you went. You wouldn't know, though, would you? The other thing to consider is that an employee of the month also gets awarded to one with the most improvement, or perhaps someone learned something new or invented a new way to do something that benefited the employer in some way. Frankly, some of the things you listed I would assume are just a part of the job.

 

[DWGal210]

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.

You're darned if you do, and darned if you don't.

 

[ols386]

I don't think companies need to have an employee of the month. It seems kind of juvenile to me.

If a company/employer wants to reward someone, do it privately and financially.

JMO

 

[aprilgail2]

We used to have employee of the month for different departments but so many (myself included) all said don't you dare make me employee of the month and if you do I will not come to the reception- so I think they pretty much stopped it.

 

[avgeek81]

We used to have it at my job but it has pretty much stopped. I never won but I did win safety hero of the month or something like that. It would be fun to see people win and then be gone the next month.

One guy who won had numerous customer complaints because he was so rude to customers and employees. I always thought he must have had some dirt on a higher up.

One girl won and was fired for stealing like 2 weeks later. Before it ended pretty much every month it was one of the same two people. Later an opening came up and both people applied for the promotion. Neither got it.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I am not a fan of the idea. I think it causes hurt feelings, and hard feelings.

 

[Wendy31]

How do you know the employee who won "Employee of the Month" didn't also do all those things you listed plus other things as well or something entirely different but equally as or even more "Employee of the Month" worthy as you?

Also, if you're only doing what you're doing in order to win "Employee of the Month," then not only are you doing it for the wrong reasons but you're also setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[Missy1961]

We had that many moons ago. I won it once. I had volunteered to learn a new task to help a department reach a deadline. Worked my butt off to help them plus did my regular work. The manager of the other department nominated me & I won. Total surprise too.

But they've done away with it for so many of the reasons mentioned here. Can't say that I blame them, especially if people were complaining about who won.

 

[tvguy]

We have an employee of the quarter. You get $500.

It's nice, because you can only win once, and it is supposed to be in recognition for something that happened in the past quarter.

With all the cuts since the economy tanked in 2009-now, it is about the only thing left they still do. Christmas party is gone. Christmas gift from the company is gone.

Some of your ideas would likely make you a candidate at our place. Although, I did once work at a company whose corporate owner actually had a rule in the handbook that forbid employees from being at work more than 10 minutes before the start of their shift or 10 minutes after, and I have worked with some managers who did NOT want workers there early or late.

 

[CaliBear]

While I agree that attendance and working early/late are not reasons to receive EotM, I think some posters are being too hard on the OP. Some people are motivated by recognition and positive reinforcement. It sounds to me like the OP needs some. There's nothing wrong with that. I have worked at places where EotQ was handled such that multiple people were given the chance to shine in various ways (including attendance as its own category). And I have worked in environments where EotM was used more as a stick for everyone else than as a carrot. Obviously, I preferred the former.

OP, I wouldn't say anything to your supervisor about the award, but when I worked at the latter place- where those of us who didn't win awards were treated poorly by the big boss- my direct supervisor advised me to sell myself to the big boss on a regular basis. I don't know who chooses the recipient at your workplace, but maybe they don't know the same things your supervisor does? In which case, selling your achievements to that person/people from time to time might help get what you want. There is an art to this though so that you don't come across as bragging or as desperate. There are books on the topic if you are interested in that.

 

[Disney Doll]

This is the kind of reaction these programs get when we have raised our younger generations to expect accolades for basically breathing.

Wasn't your month OP. Whomever won did something that folks felt was more significant THIS month.

 

[NHdisneylover]

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.

While I agree that attendance and working early/late are not reasons to receive EotM, I think some posters are being too hard on the OP. Some people are motivated by recognition and positive reinforcement. It sounds to me like the OP needs some. There's nothing wrong with that. I have worked at places where EotQ was handled such that multiple people were given the chance to shine in various ways (including attendance as its own category). And I have worked in environments where EotM was used more as a stick for everyone else than as a carrot. Obviously, I preferred the former.

OP, I wouldn't say anything to your supervisor about the award, but when I worked at the latter place- where those of us who didn't win awards were treated poorly by the big boss- my direct supervisor advised me to sell myself to the big boss on a regular basis. I don't know who chooses the recipient at your workplace, but maybe they don't know the same things your supervisor does? In which case, selling your achievements to that person/people from time to time might help get what you want. There is an art to this though so that you don't come across as bragging or as desperate. There are books on the topic if you are interested in that.

It sounds to me like the OP is getting recognition in other ways. "constant praise" from district managers is pretty good recognition.


OP, I have to agree that you sound bitter and like you do not want others to receive any praise. I think speaking to your boss about your disappointment is only going to convey to him or her this type of bitter and petty attitude.

I think you will be happier if you concentrate on doing your job well, and on being happy for whoever is also doing well and getting recognized as employee of the month, instead of jealous of them.

 

[eisforpants]

We have a program where if you are recognized in writing during the month then the higher ups take those recognitions and pick who deserves the monthly award from those. So it's 2 pronged.

Honestly, if you are recognized in writing, that's a huge accomplishment as everyone in the company can see what you have done and the monthly award is just icing on the cake. .

I've been recognized 4 times and won the monthly award once.

 

[DawnM]

Yeah, we didn't have Employee of the Month, but the squeaky wheals certainly got what they wanted and the rest of us got the leftovers.

It gets old.

I have no problem recognizing people for jobs well done, but it typically doesn't work out that way.

Dawn

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.

 

[Poohforyou]

Op, you sound very young and like this is your 1st real job. Only 1 person can get the prize and I imagine you're not the only one who is a hard worker.

Quite honestly only 2-3 things on your list of 7 indicate your going above and beyond. Coming in early, staying late, never missing work, being praised are pretty much par for the course. You suggested activities, did you organize them? You say you came in even when sick - did that get others sick who then missed work?

Keep up the good work and be happy knowing you're doing a good job. Don't expect awards/extras and you won't feel bitter.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

OP, I think maybe you need a reality check.

Showing up on time (15 minutes early, to me, is on time), doing your work, coming in every day and not taking time out because of a minor illness. . .those are expectations of a job, not reasons for merit. Creating a web page and participating/organizing some fun activities shows that you are a team member, which is very good. It sounds like you're doing a good job for your company. But that's what the company is PAYING YOU FOR.

That paycheck you get every week? There's your reward.

Going above and beyond to me is something that would result in the Company saving money or stopping a bad action in its tracks or improving the Company bottom line in some way (Which can include things like customer service that is so great it brings in customers or suggesting a new process that reduces the opportunity for theft or finding a way to use an existing process or system to solve a known company problem.)

Also, it shouldn't be any sort of expectation, just a nice surprise and then you move on.

However, doing things like maintaining a divisional webpage are the kinds of things you do so that management will remember "Oh that, one, he's a team player. Likes working here."

 

[FlightlessDuck]

My company used to give an Employee of the Month award, with a $500 check. Now there are various awards given through the year but I don't believe you get anything but a round of applause at the quarterly employee meeting and a certificate.

What you describe as doing every day would not be enough to get either my company's old Employee of the Month or our new awards.

I was Employee of the Month twice. Once was for being on the committee that ran the Christmas party and the other time was for working over the 4th of July (a company holiday) to fix a customer's issue.

 

[Laura66]

OP, I think maybe you need a reality check.

Showing up on time (15 minutes early, to me, is on time), doing your work, coming in every day and not taking time out because of a minor illness. . .those are expectations of a job, not reasons for merit. Creating a web page and participating/organizing some fun activities shows that you are a team member, which is very good. It sounds like you're doing a good job for your company. But that's what the company is PAYING YOU FOR.

That paycheck you get every week? There's your reward.

Going above and beyond to me is something that would result in the Company saving money or stopping a bad action in its tracks or improving the Company bottom line in some way (Which can include things like customer service that is so great it brings in customers or suggesting a new process that reduces the opportunity for theft or finding a way to use an existing process or system to solve a known company problem.)

Also, it shouldn't be any sort of expectation, just a nice surprise and then you move on.

However, doing things like maintaining a divisional webpage are the kinds of things you do so that management will remember "Oh that, one, he's a team player. Likes working here."

Excellent post!

 

[zoo2tycoon]

If you got the award you wouldn't be whining about not winning it.
The people who give the award have their reasons for giving the award to the person they did.
As others stated how do you know other person didn't deserve it more than you did...that they didn't come in early, work on weekends, do more outstanding things than you did.
This goes back to every kid getting a trophy for participating on a team sport.
Has got to stop!
Companies have their reason for giving them and who gets them....just because YOU think YOU deserve something for doing what sounds like your job doesn't mean the bosses think you deserve it more than someone else. You seem to think you are the best in where you work...and someone proved you wrong which should be a big ego and reality check to YOU!
MAYBE THE OTHER PERSON GOT IT BECAUSE THE WERE CONSIDERATE AND DIDN'T COME IN SICK AND INFECT EVERYONE ELSE WITH THEIR GERMS.....