|
Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Employee suggestions create savings for the Commonwealth
Suggestions projected to save nearly $9.5 million in first year alone
FRANKFORT, Ky.– Gov. Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear joined Personnel Cabinet Secretary Tim Longmeyer and Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary Jonathan Miller today to recognize state employees for their suggestions, which are projected to save the Commonwealth nearly $9.5 million in the first year of implementation and more than $47 million over five years.
“In the 30 years since state employees first began submitting recommended changes through the Employee Suggestion System, very few have compared to the difficult economic times we face today,” said Gov. Beshear. “Yet state employees continue to find positive and innovative ways to improve state services. I applaud each employee for their continued commitment to a more efficient and productive state government.”
“I am honored to help recognize our outstanding state employees for their efforts to find innovative ways to improve efficiency and to save much-needed funds in state government operations,” said First Lady Jane Beshear. “The Governor and I are proud to have such an exemplary group of dedicated employees working hard every day to ensure that Kentuckians receive the best possible service.”
Administered by the Personnel Cabinet, the Kentucky Employee Suggestion System (ESS) was established in 1981. Since that time, the savings realized from employee suggestions total an estimated $242 million.
“The Employee Suggestion System recently teamed up with Secretary Miller and the Governor’s Smart Government Initiative, which shares ESS’s goal of promoting idea sharing for the sake of improved government services,” said Secretary Longmeyer. “As a result, together, we have been able to work to highlight the positive differences and collective savings employee suggestions create for the Commonwealth.”
The Smart Government Initiative, launched by Gov. Beshear in January 2010, is a collaborative, statewide, multi-cabinet drive to share ideas and employ cost-saving measures.
“Input from state employees in all levels and areas is a vital part of the Smart Government Initiative,” said Secretary Miller. “We greatly rely upon on their ideas as we continue our mission to make the most lean, efficient government work for the Commonwealth.”
Employee suggestions are submitted throughout the year and are reviewed by a designated council. Submissions that result in the enhancement of state service or in the realization of financial savings can be approved for implementation. Cash awards may be provided and range from a minimum of $100 to 10 percent of the first year’s documented or estimated savings, up to maximum of $2,500. Awards of $100 may also be given for ideas that are adopted, but have intangible savings.
For more information on award recipients and the Personnel Cabinet’s Employee Suggestion System, visit http://personnel.ky.gov/emprel/kess.
###
|