N.J. Admin. Code § 4A:6-6.5

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 4A:6-6.5 - Suggestion Award Program standards: State service

(a) A suggestion is a written proposal from an individual or a group of individuals (team) which will produce notable economy or improvement in an operation of State government or one which will improve service to the public, employee safety or employee welfare.

(b) To be considered for a suggestion award, the following requirements must be met:

1. The suggestion must be original, or propose a new application of an old idea;

2. The suggestion must be implemented or ordered implemented by a State agency; and

3. There must be a causal relationship between the suggestion and implementation of the improvement.

(c) The following suggestions are not eligible for an award:

1. A suggestion which represents a part of an employee's duties and which the employee has the authority to change or the responsibility to bring to the attention of his or her supervisor;

2. A suggestion by an employee whose primary duty is research and planning unless the suggestion concerns a matter which is clearly unrelated to the employee's assignment or primary duty;

3. A suggestion which was initially disapproved, unless the idea is implemented as a result of the suggestion within two years from notice of disapproval and is subsequently approved by the Committee;

4. A suggestion which is received by the Committee more than six months (excluding necessary trial period) after it has been placed in use;

5. A suggestion concerning routine maintenance of buildings, equipment or grounds, which should be normally reported. Where sustained complaints have not resulted in correction, the Committee may consider such a suggestion for an award;

6. A suggestion involving new structures, equipment, materials and procedures during the initial period of trial, experiment or development, the length of which is considered reasonable by the Committee;

7. A suggestion which simply involves instituting or raising fees or taxes levied by the State;

8. A suggestion to transfer programs or activities from one level of government to another, unless the transfer of the program or activity effectuates a savings or improvement of services;

9. A suggestion to recoup owed funds from another agency or political subdivision of the state;

10. Any idea or improvement which no State agency is authorized to perform, or which requires legislative or regulatory changes or the enforcement of a law or regulation;

11. A suggestion which involves the use of known technologies or methodologies similar to those already utilized in other areas of the Department or State government; or

12. A suggestion for which staff salary is calculated as savings, without proof that staff is performing a specific work assignment unrelated to the suggestion.

(d) All persons employed in State government at the time of submission are eligible, except members of the Committee or a departmental committee, the Secretary, or the staff of the Awards program.

N.J. Admin. Code § 4A:6-6.5

Amended by R.1998 d.58, effective 1/20/1998.
See: 29 New Jersey Register 4590(a), 30 New Jersey Register 384(b).