HR Corner Employees top the bill by Charles Mak Biannual recognition programmes reward innovation and continuous improvement endeavours Appearing in corporate videos and promotional material is an opportunity most employees never enjoy. However, staff at CLP Power Hong Kong Limited may just be a few steps away from a major starring role. Since 2004, CLP has operated a highly popular employee recognition programme "Take an extra step". Through the programme, contributing employees do not share the limelight with top management —t hey steal the show and hit the headlines. Alternative rewards "Take an extra step" is a systematic incentive scheme set in place to acknowledge staff contributions to service excellence. It also honours ideas and efficacious workplace enhancement initiatives such as health and safety proposals within a six-month assessment timeframe. "The objective of our endeavour is to inculcate a healthy and positive corporate culture in which our people care for others, the community and the environment; and learn to value innovation and knowledge," says H S Chan, group human resources manager, employee relations & communications, CLP Power Hong Kong Limited. "Adhering to our role as corporate citizen, we are accountable to Hong Kong society." In particular, a bronze pin is awarded to employees who participate in a "Take an extra step" approved activity. Employees who partake in four such activities receive silver pins and a chance to obtain a gold one providing they are nominated by supervisors and subsequently score more than 80 per cent in an assessment interview with a panel of top managers. Selected gold pin awardees also star in the company's internal promotional videos and become models for life-size cardboard displays, posters and flyers which are distributed across all CLP business units. "These role models can influence others and boost morale, raising the work performance bar while helping to uphold our corporate culture and values," Mr Chan notes. "We are accountable to Hong Kong society" Pauline Leung, a telephone account manager from CLP marketing & customer services has recently become a "poster star". A keen volunteer and awardee of several "pins", Ms Leung took another step for the benefit of the elderly and the environment. "During a visit to an elderly home, I discovered the residents there were unable to enjoy time in the garden due to mosquito infestation," she recalls. "So I took the initiative and liaised with colleagues from our division and the company's horticultural team to introduce a more environmentally friendly 'green growing' concept. The process uses coal ash to bed garden plants which controls mosquito populations. We even arranged for coal ash compounds to be delivered there. This may not be a very glamorous undertaking but such a small step did make a change to people's lives." High spirits Over the past few years the programme has gained continuous momentum as its popularity grows among staff. To date, more than 16,000 undertakings have been recorded. Last year alone, a total of 2,458 bronze, 111 silver and 12 gold pins were presented to well-deserving employees who demonstrated excellent motivation and loyalty to CLP. Impressive results from employee opinion surveys also indicate a high degree of employee awareness and affection for the programme alongside a clear understanding of the reasoning behind it. "More than 99.5 per cent of employees have learnt about the programme and some 93.8 per cent like the idea," Mr Chan says. "These figures not only demonstrate palpable staff sentiment, enthusiasm and passion, they also help propel the programme forward for future employees." Ms Leung agrees, "Riding on the CLP platform we are able to leverage existing resources, and utilise our knowledge and skills benevolently. Initiatives need not necessarily be grandiose but everyone plays a part and this fosters formidable team spirit and stronger bonds between colleagues across departments." According to Mr Chan, cash prizes are not awarded at the moment as the company already has other monetary incentive schemes in place. "It's the spirit that counts," he concludes. Salient points * Recognition programme puts staff in the spotlight * Role models help uphold corporate culture and values * Survey results reveal programme popularity * Team spirit a key driver * Staff enthusiasm and passion contribute to corporate success Taken from Career Times 18 July 2008, p. A20 Your comments are welcome at [email protected]