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Tuesday, June 25, 2019

No Gift Cards For NorCo Employees

Elizabeth Kelly, Esq.
When John Brown was Norco Executive and Amy Trapp his HR Director, she started the practice of buying gift cards to give to county workers as incentives. This was condemned by then Controller Steve Barron during a performance audit in which Trapp was unable to account for some of the cards that she and her staff bought. Brown and Trapp are now gone, and NorCo's current HR Director has made clear that gift cards are no longer being purchased for employees.

With gift cards, there's no accountability. There's no assurance they are actually being used to reward worthy employees. The potential for fraud exists. Sooner or later, someone in Human Resources will use these gift cards as his or her personal piggy bank. 

There's even some evidence that rewarding employees with gift cards can backfire. According to one article in Forbes, they can actually demotivate workers who would prefer to see their hard work rewarded the way it should be - with a fair wage. Some will also feel that favorites are being rewarded.

Finally, gift cards are taxable income. The County derives its revenue with property taxes, yet was handing out cash equivalents to employees that it never reported.

Elizabeth Kelly, Norco's current HR Director, recently advised the Controller's office that she has no intention of purchasing gift cards.
"Although I initially agreed to draft a policy regarding the subject of gift cards, it now occurs to me that such a policy may not be needed, as the purchase of gift cards appears does not appear to be widespread; but rather, it was something done by the former Director of Human Resources for reasons perhaps best known to her. I have no intention of purchasing any gift cards to use as employee incentives or for any other purpose. If it is important that I make this commitment in writing, it may be more expeditious if I drafted a letter to the County Executive and other Directors to inform them that the purchase of gift cards is disfavored and I will not be purchasing any gift cards with any County funds."
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12 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 25, 2019 at 3:21 AM

    Where is Von Trapp?

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 25, 2019 at 6:42 AM

    "Sooner or later, someone in Human Resources will use these gift cards as his or her personal piggy bank."

    I love when your low opinion of government workers slips out. Wink. Wink.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJune 25, 2019 at 6:48 AM

      https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/2018/03/former_allentown_city_employee.html

      Gift cards are indeed a bad idea.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJune 25, 2019 at 7:06 AM

    This problem is nothing compared to the giving of gift cards to teachers by students or rather students parents. This has become almost a standard practice. This should be banned by all school districts. Dont doubt it is an incentive for special treatment, especially in sports and puts those children who dont participate in giving feel they are discriminated against. The teachers union defends this practice, it is teaching the children that corruption pays.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJune 25, 2019 at 7:19 AM

    Buying gift cards from certain businesses can be political statements as well. I'm beginning to suspect government and capital are working together against the common person...

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJune 25, 2019 at 7:50 AM

    Chump change compared to millions being blown on parking lots and forensic center frills designed to make it the finest in the state. Keep an eye on the shiny nickels while the powers that be are wasting millions. This is the promise of alternative media delivered.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bernie O'HareJune 25, 2019 at 9:41 AM

    "I love when your low opinion of government workers slips out. Wink. Wink."

    It's called human nature and has nothing to do with being a government workers. Some people inclined to be thieves will always find a way.

    I actually have high regard for most public servants.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJune 25, 2019 at 4:07 PM

    John brown=worst executive ever

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJune 25, 2019 at 4:33 PM

    Brown was a piker in the waste department. Hundreds of dollars in gift cards vs. millions in wasteful boondoggles. No comparison.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJune 25, 2019 at 7:40 PM

    Council needs to wake up and look behind the McClure curtain.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Bernie O'HareJune 25, 2019 at 8:08 PM

    Tricia, I understand the PSP is looking behind your curtain.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousJune 25, 2019 at 11:34 PM

    What did she do now?

    ReplyDelete

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