Colleagues,

Many of you have been asking about the Spot Recognition Program. Below is the information. Please note that anyone can make a recommendation for a spot recognition, but only certain employees are eligible to receive one.

Overview of the Spot Recognition Program

Purpose

The Spot Recognition Program is intended to reward an employee for actions or accomplishments that go above and beyond expected duties.

Examples:

·         A staff member takes on and manages significant extra work to cover for a colleague on temporary leave.

·         A group of employees collaborates on a cross-functional corporate project that significantly impacts a client or the company.

·         An employee develops a better process or procedure that solves a Division-wide or Department-wide issue.

·         An employee receives special commendation from a client, beyond what would be expected for his/her level.

Spot Recognition Rewards are not recommended for employees who are simply performing well against expectations, nor as a “thank you” gesture for employees who are leaving the organization.

Eligibility and Awards

US-based regular employees (including Expatriates/Third Country Nationals) at levels 3, 4, and 5 and Local Country National (LCN) employees (FSN 1-9) are eligible to receive a Spot Recognition.

For all eligible employees, Spot Recognition can be provided in the form of cash awards (direct deposited for U.S.-based employees and as checks for LCNs) or non-cash awards (gift cards in the U.S. and locally-relevant reward options in our overseas locations).

Annual award limits per employee are:

·         U.S.-based employees are eligible for up to $2,500 per fiscal year

·         LCN employees are eligible for up to $1,000 per fiscal year

Award Allocation and Tracking

Each Division and Department is allocated a specific Spot Recognition budget at the beginning of each fiscal year. The amount is calculated based on a straight percentage of the payroll of the organization for all regular employees. For International Divisions, Chiefs of Party (COPs) are provided a percentage of their Division’s Spot Recognition budget in order to reward contributions in the field. Throughout the year, Division and Department managers can directly access and track information about their spending and award balances, while also receiving such updates from HR on a quarterly basis (or as requested). Note: Spot Recognition budgets do not transfer across fiscal years; money not spent is forfeited.

Nominations

Nominations can be made by the manager/supervisor of the employee or any individual that manages the task, project, effort, etc. to which the employee contributed. Nominations may be made from within as well as outside of an employee’s immediate organization. Cross-divisional/departmental awards may be charged to the nominating division/department or shared between the nominating organization and the employee’s home organization.

Processing

Nominations for cash awards will be made by completing and submitting a simple, standardized form available on AGI. The designated HR Director will review each Spot Recognition request to validate:

1) Required approvals

2) Sufficient justification

3) The appropriateness of the amount being proposed.

Once a nomination is approved, the employee will receive their Spot Recognition award, accompanied by a card/certificate acknowledging their outstanding contribution. Cash awards will be direct deposited in the next pay period for U.S.-based employees and as checks to LCNs. Non-cash awards (in the form of gift cards or other similar locally-relevant awards in overseas locations) will be given at the time the employee receives their recognition card/certificate.

Divisions and Departments are encouraged to publicize information about their Spot Recognition awards on a regular basis, in a manner deemed most appropriate for their area (e.g., during quarterly meetings, posted on AGI, shared via email announcements, etc.).

Questions?

If you have any questions or comments, we encourage you to contact your designated HR Business Partner, or email the HRServiceCenter@abtassoc.com .