Employee Innovation Program

Questions

What is the Employee Innovation Program?
Isn't the Government paying public servants extra just for doing their jobs?
Don't departments and agencies have their own recognition programs?
Is the cash award taxable?
If the award is given to a team of employees, will the amount be divided amongst participants?
Will awards be given for successful proposals where cost savings cannot be measured?
Who will be responsible for administering the program and how will it be administered?
Who will be responsible for paying the cash awards?
Who is participating in the pilot round of the program?
How long will the pilot program run?
Will employees who receive the award be publicly recognized?
Are there any proposals that won't be considered?
How do I submit a proposal?
Can I submit a proposal if my organization is not part of the pilot program?
Can I submit a proposal that has a government-wide application?
Who can I contact to obtain more information on the Employee Innovation Program?

Answers

1. What is the Employee Innovation Program?

The Employee Innovation Program is a pilot initiative, which aims to find creative and practical ideas that lead to tangible savings and improved services to Canadians. The goal of the Employee Innovation Program is to encourage employees to identify savings and more efficient ways, within their organization, to deliver services to Canadians.

2. Isn't the Government paying public servants extra just for doing their jobs?

It is important to engage employees in reducing costs and improving services. After all, they know the business best. This program will act as an incentive for employees to come forward with innovative ideas, allowing us to improve the way we work and be more efficient.

3. Don't departments and agencies have their own recognition programs?

Departments and agencies can recognize their employees for outstanding contributions. The Employee Innovation Program will allow us to focus on creative and practical ideas that lead to tangible savings for Canadian taxpayers as well as increased efficiencies.

4. Is the cash award taxable?

Yes. The cash award forms part of the recipient's remuneration and is therefore taxable as income in the year that the cash award is received.

5. If the award is given to a team of employees, will the amount be divided amongst participants?

Yes. Members of a team will receive equal portions of the award, which will consist of 10% of the savings measured in the first year of implementation, with a maximum of $10,000.

6. Will awards be given for successful proposals where cost savings cannot be measured?

The program allows for recognition awards to be given instead of a monetary award where cost savings cannot be measured. It will be up to each organization to include this in their program.

7. Who will be responsible for administering the program and how will it be administered?

Organizations participating in the pilot will be responsible for administering their own program, including setting up eligibility and selection criteria, establishing a selection committee and evaluating proposals submitted by its employees. The proposals will be evaluated based on practicality, innovation and creativity.

Significant improvements to a government program or an internal service must be noted, and tangible benefits must be observed in order to receive the award.

The award will be given six months after the successful implementation of the proposal. The award will consist of 10% of the savings measured in the first year of implementation, with a maximum of $10,000.

8. Who will be responsible for paying the cash awards?

Awards will be paid by the employee's respective department or agency. The awards will come from savings observed in an organization.

9. Who is participating in the pilot round of the program?

The following organizations are part of the pilot program, but other organizations may join as well:

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Health Canada
Parks Canada
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Transport Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada

10. How long will the pilot program run?

The pilot is expected to run for two years, and will be expanded to the entire Public Service if it is considered to be a success.

11. Will employees who receive the award be publicly recognized?

Employees who receive the award will be recognized during the Public Service Award of Excellence ceremony, which takes place during National Public Service Week in June of every year.

12. Are there any proposals that won't be considered?

Proposals aiming to eliminate individuals or teams, groups or activities will not be considered.

Other proposals that will not be considered include those that involve:

services or benefits over which organizations have no control;
working conditions provided for under collective or other agreements;
services or benefits to employees, such as vending machines, cafeteria service, parking facilities, etc.;
amending legislation or revising central policies;
building and grounds maintenance; and
items already considered part of a proponent's normal job.

13. How do I submit a proposal?

To get started, employees in participating organizations should contact the Employee Innovation Program Coordinator within their organization.

14. Can I submit a proposal if my organization is not part of the pilot program?

Employees may contact their Awards and Recognition Coordinator to see if a similar program exists in their organization.

15. Can I submit a proposal that has a government-wide application?

Proposals that require government-wide application should be provided to the employee's organization. The organization should then consider whether piloting the approach internally is feasible, rather than applying the proposal government-wide. In some instances, the department may want to discuss the proposal with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat or with departments that may have overarching responsibility for the issue.

16. Who can I contact to obtain more information on the Employee Innovation Program?

Employees in participating organizations can contact the Employee Innovation Program Coordinator within their organization.

Employees in other departments may wish to speak with their organization's Awards and Recognition Coordinator.

Members of the public may wish to contact the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Public Enquiries.