Once the evaluation is complete the Local Award Group will assess whether your suggestion is eligible for an award, taking into account the evaluator’s comments and your normal duties.
Normal duties.
If your suggestion is judged to be wholly within your normal duties, you will only be eligible for an award if the LAG considers that one or more of the following applies:
- Your suggestion is of exceptional brilliance or utility.
- You have displayed outstanding initiative, foresight and resourcefulness in making or developing your suggestion.
- Your suggestion has been adapted for use in a role that is significantly different from that originally intended.
If you are successful you will receive an award. The level of award will be calculated from the amount of savings confirmed by the evaluator for the first three years of use of your suggestion, or, where savings cannot be quantified or are not applicable, from a scale of benefit to the Department. When assessing the level of an award, the Group will also take into account factors such as your seniority and experience, the closeness of the suggestion to your normal duties and the novelty and complexity of your suggestion.
All awards are financial. They are funded from a central GEMS awards budget under a letter of delegated authority issued from DOMD to each award group chairman/chairwoman. LAGs have delegated authority to award up to £1000 for each suggestion. Further awards up to £3,000 in total may be authorised by one of 5 Service Award Groups (one for each Service plus the MOD HQ/Centre and the Defence Procurement Agency). Awards above £3,000 are referred to the MOD headquarters-based Main Award Group for an award decision.
Taxation.
Under normal circumstances GEMS awards are not taxable. However awards will be paid net of the basic rate of tax if your suggestion relates to normal duty and for awards over £5,000 where the amount above this level will be taxed.
Team Awards.
Awards for suggestions that are part of a team entry will be divided between the team members according to the relative contribution agreed and signed by each member.
Presentations and publicity.
In addition to your cash award, you will also be presented with a GEMS Certificate of Merit to acknowledge your contribution to the Department. The presentation will be made at a suitably senior level within your organisation. Maximum publicity is encouraged both to recognise your achievement and to encourage others to participate in the GEMS Scheme. Specially selected award winners will be invited to attend (with a family member or other nominated guest) an annual presentation hosted by PUS & CDS.
