Employee Recognition
You Make A Difference!
The more than 1,700 people employed by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools represent our agency’s richest resource. The KCSOS Employee Recognition Program was established in an effort to recognize and reward staff for their dedication and contributions to the success of the overall mission of the organization. The goal is to make employee recognition an integral part of our agency’s operations.
The Employee Recognition Program consists of many different components that serve to enhance the quality of work environment for many KCSOS employees. The Program provides training to supervisors concerning the importance of employee recognition and available resources and tools to recognize employees, including Kudos Awards and the Great Ideas Suggestion Program.
The Employee Recognition Program also seeks to discover and recognize significant achievements of benefit to the organization as a whole. An Employee Recognition Committee, with representation from all areas of KCSOS, solicits and reviews information concerning employee contributions, nominations by other employees, students and customers of KCSOS. The committee will make recommendations regarding award recipients once all nominations have been received.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
- Thank a Fellow Employee
Employees have the opportunity to show appreciation to one another through the “You Make a Difference Form”. This note serves as a quick thank you that can be sent directly from one individual to another. The You Make A Difference Form can be downloaded or you can request a pre-printed form from your Division’s Administrative Secretary. - Kudos Award Program
The Kudos Award Program is designed to recognize employees for their contributions to the Kern County Superintendent of Schools community throughout the year. Based on information submitted from employees (peers and managers), students, community partners and/or visitors, each Division Administrator is encouraged to use the following award formats to recognize employee contributions.- Kudos “Pat on the Back” award is used to award employees for good deeds, assistance with challenging situations in the office/classroom or with a community partner. The recipient receives a Kern County Superintendent of Schools ink pen and a “Pat on the Back” note of appreciation.
- Kudos “Extra Effort” award recognizes an individual’s special accomplishments or other outstanding activities, where the employee has gone “above and beyond” the call of duty in a particular situation. Recipients receive a Kern County Superintendent of Schools “You Make a Difference” duffle bag and an “Extra Effort” note of appreciation.
- Great Ideas Program
The purpose of this program is to encourage Kern County Superintendent of Schools employees to make suggestions that will improve their program, working environment and conditions, processes, operations or professional relationships. Employees may submit “great ideas” by completing the suggestion form and returning it to Employee Recognition Committee, 7th Floor, City Centre. Employees whose suggestions are implemented receive a note of recognition, Staff News article, and “You Make a Difference” lunch bag. Awards will be presented quarterly at Division Staff Meetings. - Outstanding Service to Education Award
This award honors a Kern County Superintendent of Schools employee who has shown continued excellence in service to the organization. Nominations can be made by employees (peers and supervisors), as well as students and community partners. Employees receiving this award will receive a certificate plaque and recognition in Staff News. This award will be presented during the annual KCSOS Office Welcome in August. - Innovation in Education Award
This award recognizes a Kern County Superintendent of Schools employee who has designed and implemented a significant innovation. Nominations can be made by employees (peers and supervisors), as well as students and community partners.
Employees receiving this award will receive a certificate plaque and recognition in Staff News. The award will be presented during the annual KCSOS Office Welcome in August. - Distinguished Service Award
This award recognizes a Kern County Superintendent of Schools employee who, for a variety of possible reasons, has exemplified what it means to be a great Kern County Superintendent of Schools employee. Nominations can be made by employees (peers and supervisors), as well as students and community partners. Employees receiving this award will receive a certificate plaque and recognition in Staff News. The award will be presented at the annual KCSOS Office Welcome in August. - Years of Service Awards
A stable and productive workforce is crucial to any organization, public or private. The Kern County Superintendent of Schools is extremely proud of the dedication shown by its employees and the number of employees who have dedicated many years of service. While a taxpayer funded organization does not have the flexibility of a private organization in implementing recognition for years of service, it is important that employees know their dedication is valued. Appreciation for 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service will be recognized annually within your Division. Recognition for 30 and 35 years of service will occur during the annual KCSOS Office Welcome in August. The office recognizes years of service in the following ways:
- Employees serving 10 years with the office receive a 10 year coffee mug.
- Employees serving 15 years receive a 15 year coffee mug.
- Employees serving 20 years receive a 20 year desk clock.
- Employees serving 25 years receive a commemorative plaque.
- Employees serving 30 years receive a commemorative calculator/pen set and a personal letter from the Superintendent of Schools.
- Employees serving 35 years receive a crystal clock and a personal letter from the Superintendent of Schools.