Thanking employees for a job well done

LEEP Dollars Program rewards workers for enhancing life at Penacook

     HAVERHILL – How would you like to be recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty at work? In this day and age, some free gasoline or a little help with the grocery bill would be a welcome show of appreciation.
     Well, that’s exactly what’s been happening at Penacook Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the past year. Employees caught going above and beyond their job requirements by a manager or supervisor, or who have received special recognition from residents, their family members or guests, are rewarded with a LEEP dollar. When an employee has collected ten or more LEEP dollars, he or she can redeem them for gas cards or supermarket gift cards. Employees can also save their LEEP dollars for items from a gift catalog. However, possibly because of the rising cost of both gas and groceries, the gift cards are proving to be the most popular options.
     “So many people have commented how much it helps them out when they redeem their LEEP dollars for gas or grocery cards,” said Director of Human Resources Leah Doherty. More than 150 employees have redeemed LEEP dollars for gifts since the program began a year ago.
     The idea for the incentive program came from Penacook’s LEEP (Life Enhancement and Empowerment Principles) Committee, which consists of residents, staff and family members. The committee is charged with creating a more home-like setting at Penacook and has worked on projects such as enhancing the dining experience to include more choices and home-like meals and establishing “neighborhood communities” within Penacook so that residents feel more connected to each other.
     “The LEEP Dollars Program was launched as a way to give some well-deserved on-the-spot recognition to employees in all departments who go the extra mile,” said Chief Operating Officer Charles Carrozza. “It gets residents and families involved because staff members who have made life better for them in some way will be rewarded.”
Penacook’s Employee Fund helps support the incentive program. Families of residents who want to express appreciation to the Penacook staff have the option of making a donation to the Employee Fund, which helps to finance various employee recognition efforts.
     Penacook recently marked the end of the program’s first year with a raffle. Each dollar earned throughout the year (about 3,000 in all) was entered into the drawing. Three cash prizes were awarded. Residents drew the winning names at an ice cream party held on Penacook’s patio in early June. The winners were: Certified Nursing Assistant Jasmin Mendosa of Methuen ($400), Certified Nursing Assistant/Restorative Aide Denise Gallant of Rochester, N.H. ($200) and Certified Nursing Assistant Griselda Padilla of Danville, N.H. ($100).
     Located at 150 Water St., the 160-bed Penacook Place is the only not-for-profit nursing and rehabilitation facility serving the city of Haverhill. Penacook Place has a professional staff of 230 employees. Contributions that support employee recognition programs and resident activities can be made to the Employee Fund, c/o Penacook Place, 150 Water St., Haverhill, MA, 01830.