The characteristics of the Certificate of Appreciation are as follows:
The Certificate of Appreciation provides executives, managers, postmasters, and other installation heads with a method for recognizing and commending career and noncareer employees, contractors, suppliers, and customers for their contributions to the betterment of the Postal Service.
The Certificate of Appreciation is a nonmonetary award consisting of a printed certificate with the Postal Service corporate signature and “Certificate of Appreciation” printed at the top. At the discretion of the approving official, a commendatory letter may accompany the certificate.
The certificate and letter of commendation (if included) are presented in an official service award folder.
Career and noncareer employees, contractors, suppliers, and customers are eligible to receive the Certificate of Appreciation. Eligibility for a Certificate of Appreciation is without regard to:
- Race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity, including transgender status), national origin, religion, age (40 or over), genetic identification, disability, or retaliation for engaging in EEO-protected activity as provided by law; or
- Other non-meritorious factors, such as political affiliation; marital status; status as a parent; and past, present, or future military service.
The Certificate of Appreciation may be issued for noteworthy assistance to the Postal Service. Examples of such contributions are:
- Reflecting credit on the Postal Service through civic service and humanitarian endeavors.
- Participating significantly in Postal Service programs such as Savings Bond drives, Combined Federal Campaigns, and blood donor drives.
- Performing exceptionally in one or more important job projects.
- Meeting unusual demands on one’s own initiative, along with regularly assigned duties, during unplanned absences of associates.
- Improving public relations or sustaining good public relations in unusual circumstances.
- Enabling a unit to meet unanticipated demands by performance of unusual duties for short periods.
- Demonstrating unusual courage or competence in an emergency.
- Improving service through actions that Postal Service management feels are significant.
The manager of Corporate Personnel Management administers the Certificate of Appreciation program for Headquarters and Headquarters-related field units.
Area vice presidents, district managers, and senior or lead plant managers administer the Certificate of Appreciation program in their organizational units.
PCES executives may approve the Certificate of Appreciation for career and noncareer employees, customers, suppliers, and contractors.
The area vice president may approve a Certificate of Appreciation for career and noncareer employees, customers, suppliers, and contractors.
Managers, postmasters, and installation heads may approve the Certificate of Appreciation to suit local needs.
Certificates and folders may be ordered from the Material Distribution Center by local offices under the following item numbers:
The double window service award folder is to be used when presenting a commendatory letter along with a Certificate of Appreciation (see 492.3).
The Certificate of Appreciation is presented by the immediate supervisor or higher-ranking official with appropriate ceremony and publicity in the presence of top officials and coworkers, preferably at the employee’s work site.
