Gratitude & Recognition

View of the top of a boxed gift with a gold bow, background, and garland with stars.

Gratitude is a cornerstone of a healthy community and a good working environment. We can help engender gratitude by sharing appreciation for our co-workers and celebrating their beneficial impact on our work; we can also help to recognize our co-workers in front of the whole community by nominating them for awards.

Here at Berkeley there are many ways we can share our appreciation of one another, as well as recognize each others accomplishments.

Appreciation

GRATITUDE BOX

Outside of the Main Reading Room, there is a box where staff can leave gratitude notes for one another. The box is regularly checked and the notes are delivered to the recipient. Make sure to use full names or list an address! 

KUDOS

Do you know someone who’s already “living” the Operating Principles in his or her work at UC Berkeley? Post a public appreciation for one of your colleagues and make their day. These appreciations will be featured on the Kudos page. Any campus employee is eligible to be featured.

92 Ways to Recognize Your Colleagues

GIVE A THANK YOU CARD

Free UC Berkeley Thank You Cards are available so that campus employees can appreciate one another’s excellent work with a memorable keepsake. 

Acknowledge Important Dates/Events

  • Birthdays
  • Anniversary (years of service)
  • Retirements
  • Expressions of Sympathy

Allowable Gifts Policy

If you wish to purchase a gift to reward a coworker, check the UCOP policy for gifts to avoid tax implications.

Campus Awards & Honors

The Cal community makes amazing things happen — for Berkeley, at all levels of society, in every field, worldwide. Their actions reflect the excellence of a UC Berkeley education and our mission to serve the greater good. To celebrate the transformative, inspiring achievements of our distinguished alumni, students, faculty, and friends, we invite you to nominate someone today for one of 14 awards in four categories.

Additional Awards

Staff

Excellence in Advising Award

Star Awards

  • Spot Awards ($500): for special contributions to a specific project or task, or group projects or tasks, accomplished over a relatively short period of time. 

ShoutOut Awards

  • ShoutOut Awards provide a small but important way to acknowledge staff for extraordinary acts of service and support.