Reward and Recognition
Informal Recognition
Informal recognition includes on-the-spot and day-to-day recognition and is typically administered by HR but delivered by departments and schools.
Electronic Greeting Cards are a quick, easy and free way to express your thanks, say congratulations or wish someone Happy Birthday. There are many designs and options to choose from.
You can view and send eCards here.
Gift cards are a great way to say thank you and recognize the great performance of a Mason employee, colleague, or supervisor. All classified staff, faculty, and wage employees are eligible to receive up to two gift cards per payroll year (November 1 – October 31). Human Resources is happy to sponsor the cost of up to five gift cards. For larger orders, or for smaller, more frequent requests, we ask the requesting department to help cover costs.
To request a gift card please login to myMasonHR, choose the 'Rewards and Recognition: Gift Cards' menu item, select the gift card you're interested in, and complete the online form.
After you submit your request for an electronic gift card (Amazon, Starbucks, Door Dash), we will email you the gift card claim code(s) to share with the recipient(s).
After you submit your request for a physical gift card (Mason Money, Shell, Target), you will receive an email when your card(s) is ready for pick up from the HR office in Merten Hall.
If you have any questions, please contact the Reward and Recognition coordinator at 703.993.2739 or awards@gmu.edu
Current Inventory
Electronic Gift Cards
Starbucks Gift Card - $25.
Amazon.com Gift Card - $25.
Door Dash Gift Card - $25.
Physical Gift Cards
Mason Money Gift Card - $20.
Shell Gas Gift Card - $25.
Target Gift Card - $25.
Impact Awards are designed to acknowledge employees doing exceptional work that is above and beyond the scope of their usual job duties. They are awarded at the bronze, silver, gold, and platinum levels and are open to administrative/professional faculty, classified staff and non-student wage employees.
Awards
| Award Level/Amount | Duration of Exceptional Work | Criteria for Consideration | Approval | Funding By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Bronze Up to $200 | 3-4weeks | Doing a project beyond the scope of usual job responsibilities Examples of reasons to reward at this level:
| Supervisor & Dean | Central Account or Department |
| Silver $250 - $500 | 1-3 months | Taking on a significant project outside the scope of usual job, or helping out when unit is short-handed Examples of reasons to award at this level:
| Dean & SVP/Provost | Department |
| Gold $550 - $750 | 3-6 months | Taking on a significant project outside the scope of usual job, or helping out when unit is short-handed Examples of reasons to award at this level:
| Dean & SVP/Provost | Department |
| Platinum $800 - $1000 | 6-12 months | Taking on a significant project outside the scope of usual job, or helping out when unit is short-handed Examples of reasons to award at this level:
| Dean & SVP/Provost | Department |
Eligibility, Funding, and Pay
- Administrative/professional faculty, classified staff and non-student wage employees are eligible to receive impact awards
- Departments can request that HR pay for impact awards at the Bronze level only. Departments are responsible for paying impact awards at the Silver, Gold and Platinum levels.
- All impact awards will be paid on a bi-weekly basis and will be directly deposited into the employee’s account.
- All impact awards are subject to federal and state taxes and cannot be grossed up to cover the taxes.
- Employees who have received temporary pay for the project or duties described in the nomination are not eligible for impact awards at any level.
- Employees are eligible to receive one impact award at the bronze, silver, gold or platinum level, per fiscal year.
The Form and Approvals
- A detailed, written justification must be provided with the award form. This justification should describe the work that is above and beyond the scope of the employee’s job and any details, such as length of project, and the impact the employee’s work has had on their department, Mason and/or the community. Other things to note:
- Using specific examples and measurable outcomes that demonstrate why the employee should receive this award are encouraged.
- You are welcome to include customer testimonials or excerpts from emails if they add merit to the written justification.
- Departments are responsible for obtaining all signatures prior to turning the completed nomination into HR. Incomplete forms will be returned to the department and will delay the nomination.
- All impact awards are subject to review and final approval by HR
- Please indicate on the form who should be notified when the award has been processed. This person should be someone other than the award recipient, who will recognize this employee. Here are some tips for recognizing a Mason colleague as well as a sample memo.
Are you looking for a fun, informal way to show your appreciation to another Mason Employee? Look no further than Mason Flair. These fun items can be requested for anyone who works at Mason, including student workers.
To see the current inventory of Mason Flair please log in to myMasonHR, choose the 'Mason Flair' menu item. To submit a request, select the flair you're interested in, and complete the online form.
You will receive an email when your Mason Flair is ready for pick up. Each Mason Flair comes with a greeting card for you to sign and share with the recipient.
If you have any questions, please contact Reward and Recognition at 703.993.2739 or awards@gmu.edu
Student wage, graduate assistants, and work study employees are eligible to receive Mason Flair and Student Employee Gift Cards.
To request Mason Flair, please log in to myMasonHR, choose the 'Reward and Recognition: Mason Flair' menu item, select the flair you're interested in, and complete the online form. You will receive an email when your Mason Flair is ready.
To request a Student Employee Gift Card, please log in to myMasonHR, choose the 'Reward and Recognition: Student Recognition' menu item, select the gift card you're interested in, and complete the online form. Please note: Due to state regulations and tax rules, the gift card options for student employees are different than the gift card options available to faculty, staff, and non-student wage employees. Once you have submitted your request, you will receive an email when your Mason Flair is ready.
If you have any questions, please contact the Reward and Recognition department at awards@gmu.edu.
Current Inventory
Electronic Amazon.com Gift Card - $5.
Electronic Starbucks Gift Card - $5.
Regal Movie Package. Two movie tickets and gift card for concessions to Regal Movie Theatres. This is a physical package (no electronic available).
Recognition leave can be awarded to employees for doing exceptional work that is above and beyond the scope of their usual job duties. Recognition leave is open to classified employees and administrative/professional faculty.
| Amount of Recognition Leave | Duration of Exceptional Work | Criteria for Consideration | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| *1 Day/8 Hours | 1-2 weeks | Examples of reasons to reward at this level: • Doing exemplary work or a commendable job on a project or activity • A specific customer compliment • Effectively managing growth or change in unit or department • Providing excellent service or support to others • Providing guidance, feedback and encouragement to colleagues | Supervisor or Dean |
| *2 Days/16 Hours | 3-4 weeks | Doing a project beyond the scope of usual job responsibilities Examples of reasons to reward at this level: • Providing outstanding service to others • Putting forth an effort to develop others through mentorship and/or recognizing other's accomplishments publicly or privately • Suggesting or developing new work methods or reorganizing work flow to increase productivity or save money | Supervisor or Dean |
| 3 Days/24 Hours | 1-3 months | Taking on a significant project outside the scope of usual job, or helping out when unit is short-handed Examples of reasons to reward at this level: • Enhancing the well-being of unit/department through willingness to provide extra support to others • Consistently acting as a team player and encouraging teamwork in others • Exhibiting initiative and creativity resulting in improved operating efficiency of department or unit | Supervisor/Dean & SVP/Provost |
| 4 Days/32 Hours | 3-6 months | Taking on a significant project outside the scope of usual job, or helping out when unit is short-handed Examples of reasons to reward at this level: • Enhancing the well-being and image of department through work that brings distinction to their department within the Mason community • Developing processes, programs, or efficiencies that are replicated in other departments | Supervisor/Dean & SVP/Provost |
| 5 Days/40 Hours | 6-12 months | Taking on a significant project outside the scope of usual job, or helping out when unit is short-handed Examples of reasons to reward at this level: • Enhancing the well-being and image of Mason through work that brings distinction to the university • Working with groups outside the university to promote the welfare of faculty, staff or students • Performing work that has brought attention and distinction to Mason | Supervisor or Dean |
*Recognition leave is pro-rated accordingly for part-time employees.
Eligibility and Awarding
- Administrative/Professional faculty and classified employees are eligible to receive recognition leave.
- Up to 40 hours of recognition leave can be awarded to full-time employees per calendar year (subject to approvals). Recognition leave is pro-rated for part-time employees according to their full-time equivalent (FTE).
- Recognition leave expires in one year and may be paid out prior to expiration or at termination.
The Form and Approvals
- A detailed, written justification must be provided with the award form. This justification should describe the work that is above and beyond the scope of the employee’s job and any details, such as length of project, and the impact the employee’s work has had on their department, Mason and/or the community. Other things to note:
- Using specific examples and measurable outcomes that demonstrate why the employee should receive this award are encouraged.
- You are welcome to include customer testimonials or excerpts from emails if they add merit to the written justification.
- Departments are responsible for obtaining all signatures prior to turning the completed nomination into HR. Incomplete forms will be returned to the department and will delay the nomination.
- For 2 days/16 hours of recognition leave, approval from Supervisor or Dean required. For 3 days/24 hours or more of recognition leave, approval from Supervisor/Dean or VP and Senior Vice President or Provost required.
- Please indicate on the form who should be notified when the award has been processed. This person should be someone other than the award recipient, who will recognize this employee. Here are some tips for recognizing a Mason colleague as well as a sample memo.
The Presidential Citation is a non-competitive award intended to recognize those who perform an exceptional deed that may or may not be related to their normal duties.
The recipient of the award must have rendered a service or performed a deed at either personal or potential sacrifice that was motivated by good citizenship or a sense of public responsibility. Examples include: rendering immediate first aid to an injured or seriously ill person; taking action to preclude the substantial loss of money or prestige to the University.
The nominator, supervisor, and head of the unit in which the nominee works must sign the nomination form. The nomination must include a one page description of the action for which the employee is being nominated.