• An employee completes a Suggestion Application Form  and submits it to the Statewide Suggestion Coordinator .
  
  
• The Statewide Suggestion Coordinator assigns a number to the suggestion for tracking purposes and notifies the employee of the number assigned to his/her suggestion.
  
  
• The Statewide Suggestion Coordinator sends the suggestion to the Agency Suggestion Coordinator(s) whose agency is affected by the suggestion, with a Suggestion Evaluation Form, assigning a due date of six weeks for response.
  
  
• The Agency Suggestion Coordinator logs receipt of the employee suggestion, and forwards the suggestion and an Evaluation Brochure:
  • directly to an “Evaluator”; or
  • to the manager of a potential “Evaluator.”

An Evaluator is someone who has knowledge in the subject area of the suggestion and the ability to initiate the change.

• The Evaluator reviews the suggestion and prepares a recommendation to “adopt” or to “not adopt” the suggestion.  The recommendation is returned to the Agency Suggestion Coordinator.
  
  
• The Agency Suggestion Coordinator updates the internal log and forwards the recommendation to the Statewide Suggestion Coordinator.
  
  
• If the recommendation is to “not adopt” the suggestion, the Statewide Suggestion Coordinator notifies the employee of the recommendation.
  
  
• If the recommendation is to “adopt” the suggestion, the Employee Suggestion Awards Commission reviews the suggestion and evaluation to determine whether the employee is eligible for an award under the Program guidelines.
  
  
• If the suggestion is adopted by the Commission, the Statewide Suggestion Coordinator sends a Verification Report to the Agency Suggestion Coordinator.  The Statewide Suggestion Coordinator also sends a congratulatory letter and a Certificate of Merit to the employee.
  
  
• The agency implements the suggestion.
  
  
• If there are costs or savings anticipated, the agency tracks all costs and savings associated with the changes for up to twelve months.
  
  
• The Evaluator completes the Verification Report detailing the savings, if any, and whether they are hard cash or cost avoidance savings.  The Verification Report is returned to the Agency Suggestion Coordinator.
  
  
• The Agency Suggestion Coordinator updates the internal log and forwards the Verification Report to the Statewide Suggestion Coordinator.
  
  
• The Statewide Suggestion Coordinator determines the award and returns a completed, signed copy of the Verification Report along with the award or plaque (whichever is applicable) to the Agency Suggestion Coordinator.
  
  
• If the award is a cash award, the Agency Suggestion Coordinator requests that agency payroll staff process a check for the employee.
  
  
• The Agency Suggestion Coordinator arranges for award presentation to the employee.

• Manager or supervisor submits Management Nomination Form to Statewide Suggestion Coordinator within six months of implementation of an employee, or employee team, suggestion.

• Statewide Suggestion Coordinator acknowledges receipt of Management Nomination Form.

• Statewide Suggestion Coordinator contacts the Agency Suggestion Coordinator for assistance in determining eligibility.

• A nomination determined eligible shall be reviewed by the Commission.

• Ineligible nominations shall be returned to the Nominator with an explanation of why the nomination is ineligible.

• If nominations for recognition of identical or similar suggestions are received, the nomination form received first shall receive preference. If received the same day, the award shall be divided equally among those nominated for recognition.

• Employees nominated on the same Management Nomination Form shall equally share the award if implemented and approved by the Commission.

• If suggestion is adopted, the Statewide Suggestion Coordinator sends a Verification Report to Agency Suggestion Coordinator and a congratulatory letter to the employee(s) receiving recognition for an adopted suggestion, along with a Certificate of Merit. A copy of that letter is sent to the manager nominating the employee and the agency head.

• Agency Suggestion Coordinator sends completed Verification Report to Statewide Suggestion Coordinator.

• Statewide Suggestion Coordinator sends either a non-cash award or plaque (for cash awards) to Agency Suggestion Coordinator.

• Agency Suggestion Coordinator requests a check from payroll office (for cash awards) and arranges for presentation of award to employee.