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At a time when a key focus is on filling vacancies, it is important for management to both value and recognize employees for their contributions. Many different factors must be considered when keeping staff members engaged, such as providing a positive work environment, a good work-life balance and recognition for a job well done.

"Employees may truly enjoy the work they do, but if the environment in which they work is not positive, retention may become an issue," says Suzanne Léger, Director of Strategic Human Resource Planning. "A positive work environment has to be a constant and felt by staff members as being genuine."

It goes far beyond a smile and a few laughs; it must involve management acknowledging staff members for the extra work they put in.

"Managers have an important role to play in creating and maintaining a positive work environment," said Léger. "Recognizing good work goes a long way towards creating a welcoming atmosphere for employees."

Changes to CSC's Employee Recognition Program

Understanding the importance of acknowledging staff, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) revised its Recognition Program in August 2008. One of the key highlights of this revised program is the creation of the Extra Mile Award.

Extra Mile Award

"When a manager identifies an opportunity to informally recognize an employee's efforts and dedication, the CSC Recognition Program has the Extra Mile Award available," said Léger. "The Extra Mile Award certainly provides a very positive message of appreciation. The employee being recognized has the opportunity to go on the Website, www.iboutique.ca, and choose among a variety of gifts at each level."

And the best part about the new Extra Mile Award, says Louise Bigras, CSC's National Recognition Program Coordinator, is that it is a tax-free gift. "With the previous program, an employee would be congratulated and told to choose a gift paid by CSC. Well, under the old rules, that gift was taxable," says Bigras. "Through the Extra Mile Award, employees can go online and select from an expanded list of gifts, and the gift won't be taxable as long as the value doesn't exceed the prescribed amount set by the Canada Revenue Agency."

Improvements to Long-Service Recognition

The revised recognition program also made great strides in better acknowledging employees for their years of service. In the past, CSC employees were recognized for 15, 25 and 35 years of service. Changes to the recognition program ensure that staff members will be recognized every five years, starting at year 15. All years of service in the federal public service count towards these years of service milestones.

At each of the milestones, employees are advised of their upcoming milestones well in advance of the date and are asked by their Regional Recognition Coordinator how they would like to receive their long-service recognition. There are a number of options, from a formal awards ceremony to more informal celebrations.

For each of the milestones, employees can choose a gift from the seasons.ca Website. In addition, the employee receives a framed certificate signed by the Commissioner and the Prime Minister.

Retirement recognition

"Another thing we noticed was that many individuals were retiring, and if they didn't work in a large group, sometimes their retirement farewell was really low key," said Bigras. "That is why the new Recognition Program introduced the Retirement Gift, which is also available through www.iboutique.ca.

"The addition of the Retirement Gift is being received positively," said Bigras. "It shows employees how CSC recognizes them for what they have done throughout their career."

Commemorative pins for bravery citations, service commendations and exemplary service

Bigras didn't overlook any small detail, as she even made revisions for specific positions.

"A few correctional officers mentioned that they don't have walls in the institutions to display their awards, and that they would like to wear them. So I did some digging and found out that over a decade ago they had created a pin for the Commissioner's Citation for Bravery and one for the Service Commendation, but they had gone by the wayside. We brought them back and people are very pleased about that. We also added a 'lapel pin' to recipients of the Corrections Exemplary Service Medal."

Past award recipients were informed to contact their recognition program coordinator to request their pins.

Although the program has only been around for about six months, it is already proving to be a great success.

"We have received feedback from quite a few people who are very thrilled," says Bigras. "Even though the program is still new, I'm noticing that quite a few people are now receiving the Extra Mile Award. So far I'm seeing management using this great new tool to help recognize their employees and contribute to a positive work environment."

Cheryl Fraser, the Assistant Commissioner of Human Resource Management, emphasizes that "CSC will continue to enhance the program to ensure the timeliness of recognition and consistency across the country."

"Recognition is key to changing
relationships and attitudes
and to promoting a sense
of belonging within an
organization."
Don Head, Commissioner

Herby Dely IT aservice Technicien, Metropolitan Montreal district, Quebec region Testimonials QUEBEC REGION I started working at the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) in 2006 as a summer student at Leclerc Institution as part of the Federal Student Work Experience Program. I was officially hired by MMD in 2007 as an IT Client Services Technician. My job is to look after the IT needs of district employees. I am very pleased that I joined the CSC team. I think that CSC is an employer that looks out for its employees and promotes the safety and professional development of its staff. I am proof of that! What I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to work with people from various fields, to be able to help them by resolving their computer problems and to provide them with technology to help them do their jobs effectively. Claire Bisson Project Officer, Human Resources, Quebec Regional Headquarters Once upon a time, there was a young public servant working in Montreal who just happened to hear about the regional office of Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) in Laval. In 1977 she obtained a deployment to the Human Resources Branch and she lived happily ever after until 2009, when her time at CSC came to an end. Since October 2007, I have been the project officer for the Human Resources Branch at Quebec Regional Headquarters (QRHQ), where I work on various human resources planning projects. In a way, this assignment has allowed me to complete the circle of my progression through CSC. Symbolically, it is a final lap on familiar territory, surrounded by people I have a lot of respect for and with projects that allow me to contribute to public service renewal. It is a work experience that is both challenging and inspiring, professionally and personally. After several years of night classes, I obtained my Bachelor of Administration degree in 1996. I am grateful to CSC for the support I received during that time and for the moral support from my family and coworkers. CSC will always be connected to many important events in my life. I worked with deeply compassionate people with strong values, heroic, humble people capable of meeting any challenge. I have met people at CSC that have changed my life, professionally and personally, and I have made friendships here that will last forever. Germain Fillion Professor, Masonry, Federal Training Centre (FTC), Quebec Region I began my career at the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) in 1989 as a brickwork-masonry instructor. The chance to teach my trade came about when a teaching position opened up at the Federal Training Centre (FTC). What appealed to me most was the ability to provide offenders with job opportunities in a skilled trade. At the same time, I studied educational psychology at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM) and obtained a teaching certificate in vocational training in 2000. I think that my work at CSC allowed me to promote the teaching of skilled trades. CSC supported me in organizing the first "Olympiad" vocational training competition at FTC in 1992, run by Compétences Québec and Skills Canada. Since then, numerous competitions have been held regionally, provincially, nationally and internationally. I was also involved in setting up the brickwork-masonry program in Mali for the Canadian International Development Agency and the AMORÉ project in Guinea to train brickwork instructors. To top it all off, I had the tremendous honour of receiving the Queen's Jubilee Medal for my volunteer work. Nothing has been more gratifying than to see some of my former students complete their bricklayer apprenticeship and live in the community like any other citizen. That is what I call successful reintegration.