Initiatives by DoPT to boost morale and effective functioning of the employees

No. I-28011 /46/2014-Coord 

Government of India 

Ministry of Personnel, P. G. & Pensions 

(Department of Personnel & Training) 

North Block, New Delhi 

Dated: 18th June 2014 

OFFICE MEMORANDUM 

Sub: Best Practices / New Initiatives introduced by the Department of Personnel & Training to boost morale and effective functioning of the employees of the Department - Regarding: 

During the year 2013-2014, the Department of Personnel & Training has introduced the following new initiatives to boost the morale of its employees and to give a fillip to their effective functioning: - 

SI. No.   New Initiatives / Best Practices 

1. CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE & 

2. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH 

Realizing that recognition of meritorious performance of employees is a critical tool in human resource management, a new non-monetary incentive in the form of an annual award of "Certificate of Excellence" to recognize the contribution of its meritorious employees of the level of Under Secretary and below has been introduced. This initiative was circulated to all Ministries/Departments vide O.M. No. A-37011/1/2013-Ad.l, dated 18th December 2013 (copy enclosed). 

Subsequently, another monthly non-monetary incentive was introduced wherein one employee from across all categories of employees of the level of Under Secretary & below was to be designated as 'Employee of the Month'. The awardee is given a certificate and his photograph is displayed under the relevant link in the intra-Departmental (employee) Portal of the Department. 

Under both the initiatives, nominations of eligible employees would be called for from all Wings of the Department and the work performance and outcomes achieved by such employees would be examined by a Committee Of Joint Secretaries in DoPT. The same Committee would meet once every month to assess the nominations received from various Wings to recommend award of 'Employee of the Month'. 

3. APPOINTMENT OF MENTORS FOR THE EMPLOYEES JOINING DoPT 

A process of mentoring of each 'newcomer' in the Department with a view to sensitize the incumbent about the Department and dealing with court cases, RFD, Parliamentary matters, etc., has been introduced in the Department. The mentoring process is for a period of six months. The mentor is to be an officer two levels above the incumbent. 

4. EMPLOYEES' INTERACTION WITH MOS (PP) AND SENIOR OFFICERS IN OPEN HOUSE SYSTEM 

An 'Open House' interaction of the Group 'B' (Non-Gazetted) employees and above was organized in October, 2013 which provided a platform to these employees to interact directly with MOS (PP) and other Senior Officers of the Department. 

5. APPOINTMENT OF GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL OFFICERS IN EACH DIVISION 

In each Division, two Grievance Redressal Officers (GRO) have been appointed at US/DS/Director level to redress the grievances of the employees of inter-personal nature. 

6. INSTALLATION OF 'IDEA BOXES' IN THE DEPARTMENT FOR SOLICITING 'OUT OF THE BOX' SOLUTIONS TO VARIOUS ISSUES 

The Department has installed 'Idea Boxes' to receive the innovative ideas from the employees to improve the functioning of the Department and to create a conducive work culture. 

7. TRAINING OF THE EMPLOYEES WITH SPECIFIC FOCUS ON DEPARTMENT RELATED FUNCTIONS 

A training plan for the employees at the level of Under Secretary & below (and equivalent) of DoPT has been chalked out in consultation with ISTM. The duration of the Training Programme is one week, inclusive of a field visit outside Delhi. 

8. RETREAT FOR OFFICERS OF THE LEVEL OF DS AND ABOVE IN THE DEPARTMENT 

The Department organized a two-day Retreat at LBSNAA, Mussoorie in October 2013 for the officers at the level of DS I Director & above in the Department. The objective of the Retreat was to discuss the stakeholders' perception about the Department and develop an action plan to positively change the orientation of the Department towards service delivery. 

9. INTRODUCTION OF INTERNSHIP SCHEME IN THE DEPARTMENT. 

The Department has introduced an 'Internship Scheme' under which applications are invited from students to work on selected topics relating to the functions of the Department. The duration of the internship is two months and they are given a stipend of Rs.10,000/- per month and a Certificate on successful completion of the internship and submission of report. The interns are selected by the Committee of Joint Secretaries. 

2.  The Ministries / Departments of the Government of India may consider adopting the above initiatives as a Human Resource Management Tool to motivate the industrious employees.

sd/- 

(Shri Prakash) 

Director (A)