University of Missouri

Finance and Administration

Purpose

It is the recognition of a Finance and Administration (F & A) employee or a group of employees who have made an Exceptional Customer Service Contribution to the University of Missouri.

The Hats Off Award is a management tool to improve the work environment.  Specifically it is a way F & A can help employees feel valued and appreciated, as well as tie performances to the working of the University.  It is also directly supportive of the UM Strategic Plan IV – Valuing people and Creating a High-Performing Organization, and addresses the past 2 years of data showing the staff do not feel they routinely receive recognition or praise for good work.

Eligibility

All University of Missouri employees who give “Exceptional Customer Service Contributions” to the University through F & A program initiatives are eligible.  Because F & A employees work intimately with other divisions and campuses, the Hats Off Award may be given to an employee or group outside of F & A, but whose specific effort has significantly enhanced F & A performance.

Nomination Criteria

“Exceptional Customer Service Contribution” are the buzz-words for the criteria.  It is recognition of an individual or a group for outstanding job performance that positively impacts F & A internal and external customers and allows F & A to achieve its goals (i.e., task force, committee work, etc.). 

Submission Criteria

The F & A Director or equivalent is responsible for the Hats Off Awards in his/her area.  S/he will receive all nominations or solicit nominations and determine if the cited performance merits “Hats Off” recognition.

Frequency

When the F & A Director level or equivalent determines a “Hats Off Award” is appropriate, s/he immediately sends an e-mail to the recipient copying the entire division (i.e., all staff within Management Services, Office of the Controller, etc.), the Vice President for F & A, and the InFocus editor.  This e-mail should specifically cite how the Exceptional Customer Service Contribution positively reflects on the reputation of the entire F & A division.  The F & A Director or equivalent will make a presentation of Award items.

Award

• Letter from the Vice President of Finance and Administration
• Copy of the original nomination
• Pom-pom figure
• Balloon
• Name published in F & A Quarterly Electronic Newsletter “InFocus”

Presentation

• For an award to an F & A employee, the employee’s Director or equivalent gives the award to their employee.
• For an award to a non-F & A employee, the Director or equivalent of the F & A employee who nominated the recipient will give the award.  This ties other departments and their employees to the working of the University.

Previous Winners

“Hats Off! to …”