The characteristics of other awards are shown in Exhibit 497.1.
Exhibit 497.1
Other Awards
The Contest Award is intended to provide a motivational tool for improving performance in particular functions. Such programs can be used for, but are not limited to, safety awareness and sales promotions. Each contest must have a specific start and end date, and the purpose must be clearly defined.
The Contest Award consists of noncash tangible merchandise items and gift certificates valued from $1 to $500.
Acceptable awards are characterized as follows:
- Only gift certificates and noncash tangible items, such as trophies, plaques, pins, merchandise or small electronics may be awarded.
- The value of each award may vary from contest to contest or be graduated within a contest with progressive levels of competition.
- To ensure maximum interest, prizes should be alternated periodically, or a variety of prizes should be made available for individual selection from a catalog.
- Prizes offered must be appropriate for both sexes.
- The maximum value of a contest award cannot exceed $500.
- Cash and cash equivalents are not to be used as Contest Awards.
See subchapter 620 for more information on contests.
All employees are eligible to participate in contests without regard to:
- Race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity, including transgender status), national origin, religion, age (40 or over), genetic information, 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.
However, noncareer employees are limited to noncash tangible awards valued at less than $100 and/or noncareer gift certificates valued at $100 or less.
The Contest Award must be approved in eAwards by a manager or equivalent at grade EAS-22 or higher.
Noncash tangible items valued at $100 or more must be reported in eAwards as a Contest Award. All gift certificates, regardless of value, must be reported in eAwards using the appropriate Gift Certificate award. (See 491.3 for more information on noncash tangible and gift certificate awards.)
The Safety Award is intended to provide a motivational tool for improving and encouraging safe working conditions and work habits in the Postal Service. It can be used as a motivational tool, or as a reward for a specific action that prevented an unsafe act from occurring.
The Safety Award consists of noncash tangible merchandise items and gift certificates valued between $1 and $500. Items are to be procured locally via normal noncash tangible item or gift certificate purchasing procedures. Cash and cash equivalents are not to be used as Safety Awards.
Only career bargaining unit employees are eligible for the Safety Award.
The Safety Award requires the approval of a PCES executive.
Noncash tangible items valued at $100 or more must be reported in eAwards as a Safety Award. All gift certificates, regardless of value, must be reported in eAwards using the appropriate Gift Certificate award. (See 491.3 for information on noncash tangible and gift certificate awards.)
