HCDRecognition and Rewards
Recognition is a leadership tool that sends a message to employees about what is important to the leaders and the behaviors that are valued by the Commonwealth and The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). The Governor of Virginia, the Governor’s Cabinet, and Agency Heads are committed to recognizing the state workforce for the valuable work it does and to enhance employee engagement. To support this commitment, DMAS has developed a Recognition and Awards Program that acknowledges the contributions and service of its classified employees. Our philosophy for rewarding employees for their outstanding achievements and commitment to the organization is aligned with the agency mission, to improve the health and well-being of Virginians through access to quality health care coverage.
Managers at DMAS use recognition to help employees understand how their jobs contribute to the agency’s overall goals and how their individual performance affects the achievement of those goals. For example, praise of an employee reinforces, recognizes and motivates behaviors that management wants to encourage. The employee can demonstrate their commitment to the agency values including service, collaboration, trust, adaptability, and problem solving in their everyday work performance. During the course of performing his or her job, employees have the opportunity to design, develop and/or implement time saving or cost saving initiatives for the agency. To recognize these efforts, managers can initiate the recognition process by following the guidelines provided in the internal DMAS Human Resource Policy 11.0 for Recognition Programs and the DHRM Policy 1.15 Employee Recognition and Management.
Some of the reasons that managers can recognize an employee or a group of employees include:
- Excellent customer service,
- Contributions toward the division mission and goals,
- Exceptional work effort,
- Safe work practices, and
- Displaying exceptional teamwork
Types of Recognition Awards and Programs
Awards and Recognition program
DMAS offers its employees a generous Awards and Recognition Program for classified and hourly wage employees that encompasses monetary awards, non-monetary awards and/or recognition leave.
Service Awards Program
To acknowledge our employee’s commitment to serve in State government, DMAS recognizes classified employees who have one, three, five or more years of service through its Service and Awards Program.
Virginia Public Service Week (VPSW)
In 2001, Governor Jim Gilmore designated the first full week in May as Virginia Public Service Week. This week is designated to acknowledge the contributions of public sector employees working in the State and federal government, as well as counties and municipalities throughout Virginia. DMAS actively participates in this week by submitting nominations for the Governor’s Awards from the Divisions, and plans and initiates daily activities. The overall goal during this week is to have fun, be creative and offer activities and events that show the Agency’s appreciation of all employees.
DMAS is aware that employees want to be valued and appreciated for their work. DMAS strives to ensure that its employees feel that their contributions are acknowledged and that they are recognized for their own unique qualities. Therefore, recognition and rewards are essential to the agency in its strategy to attract and retain an engaged and highly qualified workforce.