P.R.I.D.E. Award Program

Miami encourages the recognition of excellent performance among employees. The Miami P.R.I.D.E. Award Program (which stands for Performance Resulting in Distinguished Excellence) is a monetary-bonus program for classified and unclassified staff. These awards recognize significant employee achievements and contributions to the university. Award payments are subject to federal, state and local income taxes, but not retirement contributions.

Any employee can nominate another employee for a P.R.I.D.E.. award, with departmental approval. Mostly commonly, managers nominate their employees for the award program.

A department that wishes to recommend an employee from a different department for a P.R.I.D.E. Award should contact HR or Academic Personnel for more information. The P.R.I.D.E. Award Program budget is determined by the Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Services each fiscal year. Each division receives notification of their P.R.I.D.E. budget, which includes separate funds for classified and unclassified awards (i.e., funds from one pool may not be transferred to the other).

In regards to processing a P.R.I.D.E. Award for the Academic Affairs division, please see the Academic Personnel P.R.I.D.E. Award guidelines.

Qualifications

The employee must meet the following qualifications:

  • A current, satisfactory performance evaluation on file in the appropriate personnel office
    • Evaluations completed within 365 days are considered current.
    • Evaluations with any components marked "does not meet minimum standards of performance" or five components marked "meets minimum standards but needs to show improvement" are considered unsatisfactory.
  • Free of any disciplinary action for at least six months
  • Completion of their probationary period (classified employees)

Please note: If a position is grant-funded, contact HR or Academic Personnel regarding the nomination process.

Award Reasons

The following examples are appropriate reasons for nominating an employee for an award:

  • Working on a special project
  • Attaining job-related professional development not covered by a Job Enrichment Program
  • Achieving significant project goals
  • Developing and assisting with the implementation of an idea or an initiative which improves a business process or results in cost-savings
  • Exceptional service or outstanding performance (as defined by the supervisor)

The following examples are inappropriate reasons for nominating an employee:

  • Adjustment to base salary
  • Retention, sign-on bonus, or addressing internal pay inequity
  • Travel reimbursements, moving expenses, or any other type of reimbursement that should be processed through Accounts Payable

Please contact Human Resources or Academic Personnel if there are any questions regarding a reason for awarding a P.R.I.D.E. Award.

Nomination and Award Process

Each division or department may develop its own approval process for the P.R.I.D.E. Award program, which may include a review process that is conducted quarterly. 

To nominate an employee, submit the P.R.I.D.E. Award action in ProcessMaker.

  1. After receiving all departmental approvals, the action will automatically send to HR for review and processing.
  2. HR or Academic Personnel will process final approval and payment.
    • Please note: Requests for payments greater than $2,500 must have additional approval from the Vice President for Finance and Business Services.
  3. The divisional Vice President will issue a card or letter informing the employee of their award payment, thanking them for their contributions to Miami. A copy of the approved ProcessMaker action will be placed in the employee's personnel file.

Deadlines

In order for payment of a P.R.I.D.E.. Award, nominations must meet the following deadlines:

  • Classified: The ProcessMaker action needs to have final approval from HR by the last Thursday of the current payroll period.
  • Unclassified: The ProcessMaker action needs to have final approval from HR by the 15th of the month.
  • Academic Affairs: Please visit the Miami P.R.I.D.E. Award Guidelines page.

Please note: Submissions by the appropriate deadline do not guarantee payment on the next payroll. Managers should not share with their staff that they have been recommended for a P.R.I.D.E. Award until they receive the signed card or letter from the Vice President of their Division.