FSIS Recognition Coins

1. PURPOSE
   This directive provides instructions for the FSIS Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Chief Operating Officer, Assistant Administrators and equivalent, and District Managers on how the Agency will award Recognition Coins to FSIS employees.  The directive also provides an explanation of the values represented by the coins.  In addition, it includes instructions on distribution, presentation, and recordkeeping for coin awards.  This directive contains instructions previously found in FSIS Notice 13-21, Recognition Coins, issued 4/21/2021.
2. BACKGROUND
   1. FSIS administers non-monetary awards in accordance with the principles set forth in 5 CFR 451.104(a) and Departmental Regulation 4040-430, Employee Performance and Awards.  The Recognition Coins initiative is an informal non-monetary award program to timely recognize employees who display FSIS values.  Recognition Coins may be awarded to an employee for a one-time contribution that exceeds what is expected in their normal duties. Informal non-monetary awards are used to provide recognition of individual and group contributions that, taken alone, do not merit a monetary award, time off award, or an honorary award. They may be presented along with a monetary or time off award to enhance the more significant award. As an informal award, Recognition Coins require less formal approval procedures and presentation settings and are of nominal value.    
   2. It is FSIS policy for the leadership to recognize employees who display FSIS values with a non-monetary award, to ensure that consideration for awards is made without regard to political, religious, labor organization affiliation or non-affiliation, marital status, race, color, sex, national origin, disability, or age, and not based on personal favoritism or patronage.
3. RECOGNITION COIN CATEGORIES
   1. The FSIS Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Chief Operating Officer, Assistant Administrators or equivalent, and District Managers may award a Recognition Coin when it is determined that an employee has shown work or behavior that exemplifies one of the following categories:
      1. Accountable:  Holds oneself accountable in fulfilling the Agency’s regulatory mission and in serving the public interest; exhibits a high degree of professionalism; follows through on commitments; and accomplishes work with a high degree of personal responsibility;
      2. Collaborative:  Actively promotes and encourages collaboration within the Agency and with our partners to prevent illness and protect public health: solicits diverse views to optimize outcomes; establishes effective partnerships within and across multiple levels of the Agency; shares knowledge or expertise contributing to successful outcomes; increases success of team(s) through cooperative problem-solving; and provides exceptional service to others;
      3. Empowered:  Acts empowered with the necessary training, tools, and approaches they need to make and carry out informed decisions that protect public health and promote food safety: uses knowledge and skills to advance food safety and promote Agency strategic goals;
      4. Solutions-oriented:  Committed to deploying effective evidence-based solutions to ensure that the nation’s food supply is safe: proactive in finding solutions to work-related problems and challenges; effective at finding resolutions for difficult situations in the workplace; and performs a service or develops a product that displays creativity or innovation; or
      5. Operational Excellence:  Successfully addresses a compelling operational need or challenge.  This recognition coin is reserved for use by the Office of the Administrator (OA).
4. AWARDING OFFICIALS
   1. Recognition Coins may only be awarded by the Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Chief Operating Officer, Assistant Administrators or equivalent, and District Managers.
   2. Under very limited conditions, the awarding official may delegate awarding responsibility to the Deputy Assistant Administrator or equivalent, Executive Associate or equivalent, or Deputy District Manager.
   3. Recognition Coins are awarded by senior leaders and District Managers to acknowledge special achievements accomplished by an employee in their organization, unit, or on behalf of their unit.
5. GRANTING AND PRESENTING RECOGNITION COINS
   1. A Recognition Coin may be granted only to recognize an achievement related to official employment or public service.
   2. If possible, a Recognition Coin is to be personally presented to the employee in an appropriate ceremony that reflects the importance of the contribution or achievement being recognized and
      1. May be presented alone; or
      2. May be presented in all-hands meetings, staff meetings, unit meetings, or at the discretion of the presenting official.
   3. Employees may receive a Recognition Coin as frequently as their contributions are considered worthy of recognition.
   4. Employees may not appeal the non-receipt of a Recognition Coin.
6. RESPONSIBILITIES
   1. When granting Recognition Coins, leaders are to:
      1. Provide all mandatory information for the coin award in the electronic recordkeeping system.
      2. Ensure that coins are granted fairly and equitably; and
      3. Exercise careful judgment in selecting an appropriate coin category. Questions about the appropriateness of a category should be directed to the Office of Employee Experience and Development (OEED).
   2. Each Awarding Official will:
      1. Receive a link to forms for award recipient entries and another link for editing and reporting.  The two links are unique to each district and program area and are already in use.  Assistant Administrators or equivalent, and District Managers or assigned designees are to enter employee award recipient information.  The information is to include:
         1. Awardee name;
         2. Recognition Coin category;
         3. Date award given;
         4. Position title;
         5. Pay Plan-Grade;
         6. Program Area (PA) or District Office (DO);
         7. Justification; and
         8. Awarding Official.
   3. PAs and DOs are to maintain electronic records using the forms, which automatically update in real time.
   4. OEED is to provide quarterly reports to the OA on the distribution of Recognition Coins throughout the Agency.  Offices may create their own reports or request reports by sending an e-mail to EmployeeEngagementandRecognition@usda.gov.
7. QUESTIONS
   Refer questions regarding this directive to: EmployeeEngagementandRecognition@usda.gov.