Agenda

Return

C.50

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Date:	December 6, 2022

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Employment & Human Services Department Service Awards Policy and Annual Expenditure Authorization

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 12/06/2022

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

925-608-4801

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: December 6, 2022
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE the Employment and Human Services Department's amended Services Awards Policy, effective December 1, 2022, and AUTHORIZE the expenditure of up to $15,000 annually for recognizing and appreciating public service.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Total annual expenditures not to exceed $15,000, all of which has been budgeted in FY 2022-23. Funding ratios are 59% Federal, 35% State and 6% County.

BACKGROUND:

On December 18, 2018, the Board approved the Department's Years of Service awards Policy to recognize employees who have achieved 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of service and increased the annual budget from $1,400 to $2,400 due to the large number of employees recognized each year (estimated up to 1,175 employees).

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The Employment and Human Services Department vacancy rate has increased from 11% in October 2020 to 16% in October 2022. High vacancy rates impede the Departments ability to meet customer service mandates (e.g. processing times for public assistance benefits), weaken the quality of customer service (less time is available per customer), reduce employee morale, and can lead to employees seeking employment elsewhere. Employee morale and engagement is critical for retention and excellent customer service. One mechanism to improve employee morale, engagement and retention is regular employee recognition including but not limited to annual years of service awards.

The Department engages in a number of activities to improve morale and engagement and retention through communication and recognition. These include but are not limited to:

Annual Service Recognition Awards for years of service.
Proclamations by the Board of Supervisors that recognize and appreciate EHSD functions (e.g. Adoptions Month).
EHSD Live!, -- a regular live all-staff meeting that shares information, recognizes accomplishments, and provides an opportunity for Q&A with the Director and guests.
Monthly Headlines, the Department newsletter filled with information and recognitions.
Celebrations for professional months (e.g. Social Worker Month, Eligibility Worker Month, Administrative Professionals Month)
Bureau, Unit, and Division level staff appreciation parties (personally funded by executives, managers, and supervisors)

In addition to the existing January Years of Service Award (not to exceed an annual maximum of $3,000 with an approximate cost per employee that varies depending on the number of employees honored), the revised Department Employee Service Awards policy adds two additional annual appreciations in December and May. It adds an appreciation through a signed winter holiday card to all staff (not to exceed $5,000 for approximately $2.50 per employee with approximately 2,000 FTE.). And it adds a token of appreciation in May during Public Service Appreciation Week (not exceed $7,000 for approximately $3.50 per employee with approximately 2,000 FTE). In addition to the tokens of appreciation, the Department, Bureaus, and buildings may host celebration events at no additional cost to the county.

The total annual budget will not exceed $15,000 (approximately $7.50 per employee with approximately 2,000 FTE). As a comparison, the Solano County Board Approved employee recognition policy authorizes Departments to spend up to $25.00 per employee.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The Department will have one less tool to influence employee morale and engagement. Vacancy rates could continue to grow possibly resulting in negative impacts on the timeliness, quality, and accuracy of services.