N.C. Department of Correction--Correction News--August 1998
Cost savings ideas worth thousands
State employees have the
chance to earn an extra $20,000
Do you have an idea that could save money or improve operations in state government? Your suggestion could be worth up to $20,000 or as much as $100,000 if you and your co-workers submit a suggestion together.
The new State Employee Incentive Bonus Program (SEIBP) will pay workers 20 percent of the first-year savings from their suggestion, up to a maximum of $20,000, and up to a maximum of $100,000 for an idea submitted by a group of employees that is implemented by state government.
Any full-time, part-time or temporary state employee from a state agency or the university, community college or public school system is eligible.
"The State Employee Incentive Bonus Program is a good way to show our state employees how much we value their creative ideas," said Gov. Jim Hunt. "Their suggestions will help the state save money, reduce waste and improve working conditions."
During a kickoff celebration for state employees on June 23, Secretary Katie Dorsett announced the first winner in the State Employee Incentive Bonus Program – Patricia Kelly, a data entry supervisor from the Department of Revenue.
Kelly suggested that taxpayers round off figures to the nearest full dollar without cents on their state tax returns, resulting in a savings of over 6,000 hours of data entries and a first-year savings of $87,125. Kelly, whose suggestion was printed in the instructions on the 1997 tax returns, will receive 20 percent of the first-year savings to the state – $17,425.
The Department of Administration will oversee the operation of the SEIBP, which replaces the State Employee Suggestion System that paid employees a maximum of $5,000 for their suggestions implemented by state government.
Eligible suggestions can include ideas that save money, increase efficiency, increase productivity, improve conditions, improve a safety hazard, conserve energy resources, improve services to the public or improve employee morale.
Suggestions which are ineligible include ideas that are already in use, those that have been submitted earlier, and complaints and grievances.
To submit a suggestion or get information, you should contact your SEIBP agency coordinator or visit the SEIBP Web site (http://www.doa.state.nc.us/doa/seibp.htm). Your idea will be reviewed by an evaluator in your agency and the agency that would be responsible for implementation. The SEIBP Review Committee of state employees makes the final decision for rewards.
For additional information, contact Mary Alice Simmons, the state coordinator for SEIBP, at (919) 733-2566. u