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Saying thank you

19 Mar 2015

One of the first actions to emerge from Staff Survey 2013 was the launch of the University’s first ‘Thank You’ scheme, implemented by Karen Heaton, Director of Human Resources

Your voice, Our Manchester

Any member of staff can send a simple ‘thank you’ card through the internal post or via email to colleagues who have helped them – in a big or small way. Since the Thank You scheme was introduced in 2014, more than 1,000 cards have been sent to thank colleagues for jobs well done. The scheme is quick and easy to use and has been positively received by our staff.

Staff can also nominate colleagues to receive a small gift for playing a part in a piece of work or going out of their way to help a fellow colleague or student. So far, gifts including chocolates, flowers and meals out have been awarded all over the University as a sign of appreciation. Gift vouchers have been particularly popular.

Among the staff whose contributions have been recognised were an amazing group of colleagues from the University’s Occupational Health Service, who gave assistance at a serious road traffic accident which took place on Oxford Road back in February 2014. To recognise the contribution members of the team, David Barker, Director of Compliance and Risk took team members for lunch to say thank you for their quick-thinking actions.

In other areas of the University, events have been organised to bring staff together to help build a sense of community and to thank staff for their valuable team contributions. These have been particularly successful with colleagues.

The Directorate for the Student Experience launched the DSE Outstanding Contribution Awards (DOCAs) as one of the ways in which the DSE can recognise, reward, celebrate and thank staff for their contribution to the Directorate and to the University. The first awards were presented to four teams and 12 individuals at a ceremony held in the Great Hall, Sackville Street, in June 2014. The DSE has also introduced an annual programme of events to bring together its staff to celebrate their successes and recognize and value everyone’s contributions. These include informal ‘thank you’ events for each Division, 

The Directorate of Estates and Facilities held ‘Thank You’ breakfasts for their staff in January and July 2014 in Whitworth Hall to acknowledge their hard work and continued dedication. Members of the Estates and Facilities senior management team helped to serve food, and entertainment was provided in the form of quizzes and bingo.

hosted by the Director of DSE, Dr Tim Westlake, and ‘thank you' breakfasts in several halls of residence for DSE’s Residential Services.

Further information