Employee Suggestion Program
If you have an idea to improve the State's operations and have not submitted the idea to the Merit Award Program, you may be missing out on receiving a substantial monetary award.
The Employee Suggestion Program is a formal system for rewarding employees who submit ideas that reduce or eliminate State expenditures and/or improve safety or the operation of State government. The Employee Suggestion Program is one of three separate award programs within the State Merit Award Program to recognize employee's contribution.
As a State of California employee or retiree, did you know that your ideas could reward you with cash in your pocket? The State's Employee Suggestion Program has been around since 1950. Thousands of suggestions from employees and retirees have been adopted, resulting in millions of dollars in savings to the State. Participation in the program is easy and awards can range from $50 to $50,000. Eligible ideas are those with a cost savings to the State and a documented:
- Improvement to State Operations,
- Increase in revenue,
- Elimination of safety hazards, and/or
- Improvement in procedures.
Information
- Purpose and Authority
- Who can participate?
- What suggestions are eligible?
- What suggestions are not eligible?
- Sample suggestions
- How much can I earn from my suggestion?
- How do I submit a suggestion?
- What happens to my suggestion once it's submitted?
- What is the State Merit Award Board?
- How long will it take before I hear if my suggestion has been adopted?
- If my suggestion is adopted, when will I receive my award?
- Will I be taxed on my cash award?
- If I have more questions or need assistance in submitting a suggestion, who should I contact?
- Benefits Overview Training - Increase Your Paycheck! (250 KB PDF)
Publications
- Benefits Newsletter - November 2007 (30 KB PDF) | 67 KB Word Document
- Benefits Newsletter - November 2006 (44 KB PDF) | 72 KB Word Document
- Benefits Newsletter - April 2005 (27 KB PDF) | 60 KB Word Document
- Benefits Newsletter - April 2004 (94 KB PDF) | 119 KB Word Document
- Flyer for Active Employees (75 KB Word Document)
- Flyer for Retirees (75 KB Word Document)
- Win Big Money Poster (70 KB PDF)
Forms
For Employees/Suggestors
For Evaluators
Updated December 4, 2007 at 1:46 PM.
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