Merit Award Program
The State of California appreciates and recognizes your commitment to serve. The Merit Award Program is a set of employee benefits available year-round and is comprised of four awards:
Governor's State Employee Medal of Valor Award
The Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Award is the highest honor California bestows upon its employees who risked their lives to save others or state property. Since the program began in 1958, over 700 medals have been awarded to state employees in many different professions. There are two categories of awards:
Special Act Award (Gold Medal)
For an extraordinary act of heroism by a state employee extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty or service, performed at great risk to his or her own life in an effort to save human life.
Special Service Award (Silver Medal)
For an act of heroism by a state employee extending above and beyond the normal call of duty or service performed at personal risk to his or her safety to save human life or state property.
Authority
California Government Code Section 19823 – Employee Awards
California Code of Regulations – Employee Merit Award Program
State Administrative Manual Chapter 4700 – Merit Award Program
Benefits Administrative Manual – Merit Award Program
Nomination Process
- The department nominator reviews the Medal of Valor Nomination webpage for instructions.
- If the heroic act or service meets the criteria, the department nominator downloads and completes the CalHR-012 Nomination Form.
- The department nominator submits the completed nomination package to their departmental Merit Award Administrator (MAA).
- The departmental MAA reviews the nomination package, and if necessary, requests additional documentation.
- The departmental MAA forwards the finalized nomination package to the department director / department head for approval and signature.
- If approved, the departmental MAA submits the completed nomination package to the CalHR Merit Award Program prior to the deadline.
- CalHR Merit Award Program staff reviews the nomination package for completeness; if necessary, additional information or documentation will be requested.
- Once the nomination package is deemed complete, it will then be reviewed by the Merit Award Board (MAB).
- The MAB reviews each nomination package and provides a recommendation to the CalHR Director who makes a final determination.
- CalHR Merit Award Program notifies each department of the final decision.
Award Ceremony
CalHR Merit Award Program coordinates the award ceremony with the Governor’s Office and participating departments.
Past Medal of Valor Awardees
To search for awardees by department, last name, first name, or year awarded, please visit medalofvalor.ca.gov.
More Information
For more information, please contact your departmental Merit Award Administrator or the CalHR Merit Award Program.
Superior/Sustained Accomplishment Awards
The Superior Accomplishment Award and the Sustained Superior Accomplishment Award are for a performance resulting in exceptional contribution to state government. Many state agencies hold an annual awards ceremony to acknowledge outstanding employees and increase employee engagement. Specific areas of accomplishment may include, but are not limited to:
- An outstanding and superior achievement.
- An important contribution to science or research.
- An unequaled personal effort in overcoming unusual difficulties or obstacles.
- The completion of an assigned task in a significantly shorter period of time than was deemed possible.
- A major improvement in methods, organization, procedures, or products (which make an exceptional contribution to the efficiency or economy of the state or an exceptional improvement in its operations.
Nominations for either the Superior Accomplishment Award and the Sustained Superior Accomplishment Award may be submitted on the STD-278 Nomination Form and must be signed by the department director / department head. There are two categories of awards:
Superior Accomplishment Award
The Superior Accomplishment Award is for a performance by an individual or group which results in an exceptional contribution to state government. There are two categories of Superior Accomplishment Awards:
Gold Award
For a gold award, departments may issue one or both of the following to an individual or group:
- Engraved walnut plaque or a certificate
- Cash or gift award
Cash awards for an individual or group member ranges from $50 to $500 each. Departments have the option of providing cash or equivalent gift awards. Departments are responsible for the design, purchase, and printing of certificates. Note: It would be rare for a group of individuals to receive a gold award as this award is of such prominent degree that it merits recognition of the highest order.
Silver Award
For a silver award, departments may issue one or both of the following to an individual or group:
- Engraved walnut plaque or a certificate
- Cash or gift award
Cash awards for an individual or group member ranges from $25 to $250 each. Departments have the option of providing cash or equivalent gift awards. Departments are responsible for the design, purchase, and printing of certificates.
Sustained Superior Accomplishment Award
The Sustained Superior Accomplishment Award is for an individual or group who sustained superior job performance over a 24-month period, resulting in an exceptional contribution to state government. The maximum standard for this award is one nomination per 100 employees for each department.
Departments may issue one or both of the following to an individual or group:
- Framed certificate
- Cash or gift award
Cash awards for an individual or group member ranges from $25 to a maximum of $250 each. Departments have the option of providing cash or equivalent gift awards. Departments are responsible for the design, purchase, and printing of certificates.
Authority
California Government Code Section 19823 – Employee Awards
California Code of Regulations – Employee Merit Award Program
State Administrative Manual Chapter 4700 – Merit Award Program
Benefits Administrative Manual – Merit Award Program
More Information
For more information, please contact your departmental Merit Award Administrator or CalHR Merit Award Program.
25-Year Service and Retirement Awards
The 25-Year Service and Retirement Awards were established by the Legislature to recognize state employees who have completed 25-years or more of state service.
- Departments may purchase mementos for eligible employees directly from State Price Schedule service providers discussed below.
- State employees with questions about purchasing awards or their service and retirement award status should contact their Human Resources Office.
- Human Resources professionals may contact the CalHR Merit Award Program for additional information.
There are two categories of awards:
25-Year Service Award
The 25-Year Service Award recognizes employees who have completed 25-years of state service. Departments may present a certificate, plaque, or other suitable memento to state employees with 25-years of completed state service, however the cost may not exceed $125 plus tax.
25-Year Retirement Award
The 25-Year Retirement Award recognizes retiring employees who have completed 25-years or more of state service upon retirement. Departments may make a presentation to a retiring employee who, on the date of their retirement, has completed 25 or more years of state service, however the cost may not exceed $125 plus tax.
Authority
California Government Code Section 19849.9 – 25-Year Service and Retirement Award
California Code of Regulations – Employee Merit Award Program
State Administrative Manual Chapter 4700 – Merit Award Program
Benefits Administrative Manual – Merit Award Program
CalHR-160 Non-Core Employee Payment Form
STD-65 Purchasing Authority Purchase Order
Procurement Information
As of February 1, 2017, MTM Recognition and Frank T. Marchello are identified as State Price Schedule service providers. Departments may utilize their Core Item and Non-Core Item catalogues to fulfill procurement orders (see below). At the department’s discretion, employees may purchase a gift that is a Non-Core Item, including those above the $125 threshold. The State of California will be responsible for the first $125 (plus the tax on $125). The employee is responsible for the balance. At the time of order, it is the employee’s responsibility to pay anything above and beyond the $125 plus tax. No order will be officially placed until the employee’s portion is paid in full. The state’s portion of the payment will be standard state terms.
Gift Catalogs and Contract Information
On Cal eProcure, click on the link for “Find Public Procurement Information.” Then, search for vendor associated contract information using these contract identification numbers:
- For MTM Recognition, search 2-21-84-14A
- For Frank T Marchello, search 2-21-84-14B
To request any additional state price schedule service provider documents, please contact the CalHR Merit Award Program.
MTM Recognition
- https://awards.mtmrecognition.com/california
- To access “Core” items, click on the “25-Year” and “Retirement” links on the left of the page below the “Core” heading.
- To access “Non-Core” items, click on the “Non-Core” links, L1 through L5, on the left of the page below the “Non-Core” headings.
- For questions or concerns:
Bryan Mular, Customer Care Associate
bmular@mtmrecognition.com| (877) 495-1011
Frank T Marchello
- https://california.awardfulfillment.com
- To access “Core” items, click on the “Core – 25 Years” and “Core – Retirement” links on the left side of the page below the “Categories” heading.
- To access “Non-Core” items, click on the “Non-Core” links, Level 1 and Level 2 on the left of the page below the “Categories” heading.
- For questions or concerns:
california@awardfulfillment.com | (909) 208-5506 | (800) 718-8852
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an employee who has completed 25-years of state service and plans on retiring, regardless of the time between the two events, receive both a 25-Year Service Award and Retirement Award?
Yes. There is nothing in the current law that indicates an employee must choose between the 25-Year Service Award and Retirement Award.
Can a retiring employee who has completed 25-years of state service combine the 25-Year Service Award and Retirement Award and purchase a $250 gift?
No. These are two separate awards.
Can an employee receive the appropriated $125 in cash?
No. The law states “a certificate, plaque, or other suitable memento.” Cash is not considered a “suitable memento” since the definition of memento is “a reminder or a souvenir.”
Does a department have to purchase a gift from the State Price Schedule service providers?
No, it is not mandatory to purchase a gift from the State Price Schedule service providers although it is highly recommended.
Can an employee who is retiring and does not have 25-years of service purchase a retirement award at their own expense?
No. This award is in recognition of 25-years or more of state service.
Can an employee with 23-years of state service qualify for the 25-Year Service Award and/or Retirement Award if they previously purchased two years of service credit for retirement purposes?
No. Service Awards are based on qualifying months of state service.
If an employee transfers to a new department, can they still receive a 25-Year Service Award from the new department?
Yes. The new department would provide the 25-Year Service Award.
What is the difference between the Core items and the Non-Core items?
The Core items are those most commonly purchased by departments for their employees and include watches, clocks, vases, etc. The two service providers offer additional, or “Non-Core” gift items for purchase. The Core items do not exceed $125. The Non-Core items vary in price.
Can an employee choose a gift from the Non-Core catalog?
Each department may establish their own internal policy for ordering service awards. Please check with your departmental Merit Award Administrator or Human Resources Office.
If my department allows it and I choose a gift from the Non-Core catalog that exceeds $125, how do I pay for it?
The State of California is responsible for the first $125, plus the tax on the $125. The employee is responsible for the balance. Employees may contact their department Merit Award Administrator or Human Resources Office for further details.
Are there time limits for purchasing retirement gifts?
There are no time restrictions in the law; departments may establish reasonable time limits for their retiring employees.
What is the turnaround time when an award is ordered?
MTM Recognition, three weeks is the normal turn-around time. If a shorter turn-around time is required, please contact Bryan Mular.
My PERS statement shows a different amount of service time than State Controller’s Office. Why?
Service years are based on qualifying months of state service as indicated by the State Controller’s Office (SCO). SCO and PERS calculate service time differently.
More Information
If you have any issues or concerns to report about a product purchased from a State Price Schedule service provider, please contact your department’s Merit Award Administrator or Human Resources Office. Program inquires may be directed to the Merit Award Program.
Robert L Negri Human Resources Achievement Award
The Robert L. Negri Human Resources Achievement Award is an annual award presented to an employee or organizational group of the State for outstanding performance and achievement in the field of human resources. We invite you to nominate deserving individuals or organizational groups for this prestigious award by completing the CalHR-601 Nomination Form and submitting to the CalHR’s Merit Award Program.
Nomination Process
Nominations will be reviewed and approved by a selection committee and the CalHR Director. Each will be looking for nominations that clearly demonstrate the following:
- Dedication to excellence in the field of human resources;
- Outstanding customer service to the state, department, and/or employee(s); and
- Excellent performance and achievements in the field of human resources.
The award will be presented at the CalHR Conference.
Authority
More Information
For more information, please contact your departmental Merit Award Administrator or CalHR Merit Award Program.
