OLYMPIA — Secretary of State Steve Hobbs has relaunched Washington’s Productivity Board, a state employee suggestion program offering cash incentives and recognition for cost-saving and revenue-generating proposals.
The Productivity Board encourages all state employees to help save taxpayers’ money by offering up to $10,000 for a successful proposal. First created by the Legislature in 1982, the Productivity Board was a cost-effective program that saved the state millions of dollars before it was shut down in 2011 due to budget constraints.
“Washington’s public employees are essential to keeping our state efficient and effective, and I am proud of the hard work they do every day,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. “With the reestablished Productivity Board, my office and I will be able to encourage innovation, help eliminate waste, and reduce unnecessary spending.”
There are two ways state employees can participate and qualify for awards:
- Through the Employee Suggestion Program, individuals can suggest ways to save money, generate revenue, and/or improve services within state government. They can earn up to $10,000 for a qualifying idea.
- The Teamwork Incentive Program is for two or more employees who help their agency save money or generate revenue. Each team member can receive up to $10,000.
Secretary Hobbs thanked the Legislature for reauthorizing the program and invited state employees and the public to view its new website here.
Workers can use forms available through the website to submit proposals to help their agencies increase state productivity, improve service and working conditions, conserve energy, generate revenue, and save money.
Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees a number of areas within state government, including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office also manages the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, oversees the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees, and administers the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.
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SOURCE: Secretary of State
