**EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AND AWARDS**

**1. REASON FOR ISSUE:** To revise Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
policy regarding employee recognition and awards.

**2. SUMMARY OF CONTENTS/MAJOR CHANGES:** This change revises
occupational coverage in VA Directive 5017, dated April 15, 2002,
regarding additional Title 5 positions being converted to Title 38
hybrid positions. The changes will be incorporated into the electronic
version of VA Directive 5017 that is maintained on the [Office of Human
Resources Management and Labor Relations Web
site](http://vaww.va.gov/ohrm/Directives-Handbooks/Direct_Hand.htm).

**3. RESPONSIBLE OFFICE:** The Employee Relations and Performance
Management Service (051), Office of Human Resources Management and Labor
Relations.

**4. RELATED HANDBOOK:** VA Handbook 5017, Employee Recognition and
Awards.

**5. RESCISSIONS:** Refer to the Transmittal Sheet for VA Directive
5001, General Introduction and Administration.

#### CERTIFIED BY: BY DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY

**OF VETERANS AFFAIRS:**

/s/Robert N. McFarland /s/R. Allen Pittman

Assistant Secretary for Assistant Secretary for

Information and Technology Human Resources and Administration

ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION ONLY

**EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AND AWARDS**

**1. PURPOSE.** This directive establishes VA's policy on employee
recognition and awards. It also establishes policy for special
advancements for achievement and performance for Title 38 \[and Title 38
hybrid\] employees as well as cash awards for registered nurses and
nurse anesthetists. Procedures for implementing the policies in this
directive are found in VA Handbook 5017, Employee Recognition and
Awards.

**2. POLICY**

a\. It is the policy of the Department to recognize individual employees
who make contributions in support of the mission, organizational goals
and objectives, and VA's Strategic Plan.

b\. The Department shall also provide advancement opportunities for
\[full-time, part-time and intermittent\] physicians, dentists,
podiatrists, optometrists, chiropractors, registered nurses, nurse
anesthetists, physician assistants and expanded-function dental
auxiliaries appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7401(1) or
7405(a)(1)(A); \[and, Title 38 hybrid employees\] appointed under \[ \]
38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405(a)(1)(B). Such advancement opportunities shall
be predicated on the recognition of quality service rendered, additional
experience and professional attainment as determined by an examination
of the employee's individual record. Advancement opportunities shall
include Special Advancements for Achievement and Performance. In
addition, \[VA's recognition and awards programs\] shall include cash
awards for full time, part time, and intermittent registered nurses and
nurse anesthetists appointed under 38 U.S.C. \[ \] 7401(1) and 7405.

c\. VA's recognition and awards programs will be administered using the
following principles and practices:

\(1\) Recognition has its greatest impact when it is provided as soon as
possible following the contribution or achievement.

\(2\) The views of employees and employee representatives are critical
to the program's effectiveness in motivating employees.

\(3\) The form of recognition used should be appropriate to the
contribution that was made.

\(4\) When a desired outcome results from a group or team effort, all
contributing members of the team should be recognized. The amount of
recognition per team member may vary depending on the level of
contribution.

\(5\) Appropriate presentation and adequate publicity are important to
the program.

\(6\) Employee representatives should be involved in the development,
implementation, and review of specific recognition programs.