Post by IndyStar on Dec 12, 2009 6:55:36 GMT -5
State Agencies Inconsistent With Bonuses
Thousands Of DOC Workers Get Bonuses
INDIANAPOLIS -- A deeper analysis of the spot bonus program implemented by Gov. Mitch Daniels in 2006 reveals inconsistencies in how state agencies utilize the program and reward employees.
6News' Kara Kenney began examining the program after the station received an anonymous e-mail complaint about awards given to 75 Indiana Department of Transportation workers in recognition of their work during a tanker explosion on Interstate 465 in October.
Capital WatchBlog: Spot Bonus Sensationalism?
A review of bonus records revealed that the Department of Correction gave out more bonuses than any other agency, including to employees at the top of the pay scale.
In 2008, more than 2,200 DOC workers received bonuses, including many prison superintendents and assistant superintendents.
At least 12 superintendents received bonuses, including Bryan Person, superintendent of the Edinburgh Correctional Facility, who got nearly $1,000 in bonuses over the past few years.
Superintendent Cecil Davis, of the Camp Summit Boot Camp, received $1,000.
DOC officials weren't available for an on camera interview Friday, but said the vast majority of those who received bonuses are correctional officers working in prisons.
"The DOC awards employees based on superior performance and to recognize the very difficult jobs they have to do in corrections," a spokesperson said.
Indiana State Police troopers, many of whom put their lives on the line daily, didn't receive any bonuses in 2008. A spokesperson told 6News that responding to emergency situations is their job.
Some troopers have been receiving raises over the past few years, but not those with more than 20 years on the force. Just last week, those raises were all frozen, according to an agency spokesperson.
Family and Social Services, one of the state's largest agencies, also awarded very few bonuses.
About 8 percent of INDOT employees received bonuses over the three-year period, but a Department of Child Services representative told 6News the agency hasn't given out bonuses in more than a year because of financial reasons.
Daniels' program allocates $3 million a year for bonuses, but each agency determines how or if it wants to use the money.
Most bonuses ranged from $100 to $1,000, but there were a few instances of $5,000 awards.
Thousands Of DOC Workers Get Bonuses
INDIANAPOLIS -- A deeper analysis of the spot bonus program implemented by Gov. Mitch Daniels in 2006 reveals inconsistencies in how state agencies utilize the program and reward employees.
6News' Kara Kenney began examining the program after the station received an anonymous e-mail complaint about awards given to 75 Indiana Department of Transportation workers in recognition of their work during a tanker explosion on Interstate 465 in October.
Capital WatchBlog: Spot Bonus Sensationalism?
A review of bonus records revealed that the Department of Correction gave out more bonuses than any other agency, including to employees at the top of the pay scale.
In 2008, more than 2,200 DOC workers received bonuses, including many prison superintendents and assistant superintendents.
At least 12 superintendents received bonuses, including Bryan Person, superintendent of the Edinburgh Correctional Facility, who got nearly $1,000 in bonuses over the past few years.
Superintendent Cecil Davis, of the Camp Summit Boot Camp, received $1,000.
DOC officials weren't available for an on camera interview Friday, but said the vast majority of those who received bonuses are correctional officers working in prisons.
"The DOC awards employees based on superior performance and to recognize the very difficult jobs they have to do in corrections," a spokesperson said.
Indiana State Police troopers, many of whom put their lives on the line daily, didn't receive any bonuses in 2008. A spokesperson told 6News that responding to emergency situations is their job.
Some troopers have been receiving raises over the past few years, but not those with more than 20 years on the force. Just last week, those raises were all frozen, according to an agency spokesperson.
Family and Social Services, one of the state's largest agencies, also awarded very few bonuses.
About 8 percent of INDOT employees received bonuses over the three-year period, but a Department of Child Services representative told 6News the agency hasn't given out bonuses in more than a year because of financial reasons.
Daniels' program allocates $3 million a year for bonuses, but each agency determines how or if it wants to use the money.
Most bonuses ranged from $100 to $1,000, but there were a few instances of $5,000 awards.