State of California

M E M O R A N D U M


                                                   Date:  March 24, 1994
To:       PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT LIAISONS  Reference Code:  94-16
          
                
          THIS MEMORANDUM SHOULD BE DISTRIBUTED TO:

                Personnel Officers
                Merit Award Administrators
                Affirmative Action Officers
                Employee Relations Officers
                Women's Program Coordinators


From:     Department of Personnel Administration
          Office of the Director


Subject:  Revised State Administrative Manual Section 4700


  The Merit Award Program has recently revised State Administrative Manual (SAM) Section 4700 (attached).   These changes are a result of revisions to the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) Rules and Regulations which allow state agencies to approve and authorize cash awards for employee suggestions, special acts, special services and superior accomplishments.  The revision date is February 1994; however, most of these changes were effective the same date as the regulation change - January 1, 1993.  Most of SAM Section 4700 has been revised to reflect the changes in program authority as well as  several other changes.   Therefore, it is recommended that you take a few moments to acquaint yourself with these updates.   
  
  We have also made changes that cover updates to the program and procedural changes.  For example, Section 4781.5, Superior Accomplishment (of a onrecurring nature) Awards, has been revised to reflect a Silver Award of $250 which may be given to an individual, including each individual in a group.   For a Gold Award, a cash award of $500 per individual or group may be given.  Superior Accomplishment Awards for groups are in keeping with the concept of Total Quality Management and are an excellent incentive and opportunity to promote group problem solving.  
  
  Moreover, many changes in the program have occurred since the last SAM update
  (March 1990) and  some changes may have been overlooked.  We invite you to send us any other changes you think should be incorporated in SAM that will enhance the Merit Award Program or that will make Section 4700 clearer.  Our goal is to make SAM Section 4700 a document that is easily understood by State Agency Directors, Merit Award Program Administrators, suggesters and others interested in the Merit Award Program.  To that end, we will consider updating SAM after we receive input from interested parties.  Please send changes to me at the Department of Personnnel Administration, Merit Award Program, 1515 S Street, North Building, Suite 400,Sacramento, CA 95814-7243, IMS Code D-22, or contact me at 324-0520 or CALNET 454-0520 if you have any questions.  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Doris Dominey, Manager
  Merit Award Program
  
  Attachment