UAB’s strength as one of the leading educational and health-care institutions in the country comes from the quality of its dedicated employees – and each month, one of them is selected as the best of the best through the Employee of the Month program.

Now that program is changing as the university implements a broad new array of innovative forms of recognition. Going forward, Employee of the Month awardees will receive a gift packet, including a certificate and a personal letter from UAB President Carol Garrison as well as a selection of quality gifts from which to choose – and more.

“Employees are the heart and soul of any organization, but especially one that educates people and takes care of their health,” said UAB Chief Human Resources Officer Cheryl Locke. “UAB truly understands this, which is why the Employee of the Month Committee was created to recognize outstanding employees who demonstrate exceptional services through hard work, a positive attitude and a commitment to teamwork.

“One of our goals with the new and different forms of recognition is to ensure that honored employees understand they are known and valued at the highest levels of the organization,” said Locke. “We also want to more widely publicize their honor, in part because of the inspiration they provide to us all.”

Toward that end, those selected as Employee of the Month will have their name displayed for the month on the Hill University Center electronic marquee and also will receive a license plate holder that proudly proclaims their status as “UAB Employee of the Month.” Each honoree’s picture will be on display for the month in the lobby of the Administration Building, and those selected will be recognized at a departmental reception held in their honor. In addition, the UAB Reporter will continue to profile all honorees to share their stories of success with the university community.

Finally, in addition to their gift selection, each honoree will receive a small Lucite frame to display a picture or the announcement of their selection as employee of the month, tickets to a production at the Alys Stephens Center and a gift from the UAB Bookstore. 

The Employee of the Month Committee encourages the entire UAB community to submit nominations for the Employee of the Month Award. All full-time and part-time employees of UAB (including hospital, academic, administrative and other support areas) are eligible for the recognition, with the exception of employees classified as “executive,” current members of the committee and academic faculty. 

Each month, the committee reviews the nominations submitted during the prior 12-month period and selects one honoree. Then, each fall, the Employee of the Year is chosen from the 12 previous employees of the month, and the committee hosts a formal reception to recognize this highest award an employee can receive from the university. With the changes to the program, the UAB Employee of the Year now will receive a flex pack of tickets to UAB athletic events, a crystal vase, a $500 cash bonus and a selection of quality gifts valued at more than $400 from which to choose.  The Employee of the Year also will be featured in the UAB Homecoming Parade.    

To nominate someone you believe deserves to be recognized as Employee of the Month, send a letter to the committee that details how the employee is exceptional in his or her job.  The more letters received from colleagues and co-workers for a nomination, the better the committee can judge all that the outstanding employee nominee contributes to UAB’s success.

All nominations and letters should be sent to Richard Helling, chair of the Employee of the Month Committee, at AB 360+0103 or via e-mail, helling@uab.edu .

For further information, visit the Employee of the Month Web site at www.uab.edu/eotm or contact Helling at 975-9973.