CAO Message: Our Thanks and the Gift of Time
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Message from Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer
Happy Employee Appreciation Day!
Every day, I feel deeply appreciative for all you do. The County has a program that allows for individual employees to be recognized throughout the year for special accomplishments or sacrifices they have made. Certificates of appreciation, gift cards, a recognition lunch, perhaps a director’s check, or a memento to display – these are small ways to say thank you.
This year, as we celebrate Employee Appreciation Day, we’d like to do something for all employees, since each of you has gone above and beyond in meeting the extraordinary challenges of the pandemic. We’d like to give you the gift of time!
We are providing eight hours of recognition leave to every County employee. We hope you’ll enjoy the time to do something special just for yourself. Whether you choose to go somewhere with a family member or friend, or have a peaceful day on your own, it’s a day we offer to say thank you! The additional leave may be taken during the upcoming fiscal year, starting July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
But wait, there’s more!
I’m excited to announce that, also to recognize you, the County has received 500 tickets to the Boots in the Park concert coming to our own Waterfront Park on April 2! The headliner is Blake Shelton. We’ll randomly select 250 County employees to receive two tickets for some fun. Sure be cool if you win! More details of that drawing will come next week.
And if you miss out this time, you’ll have another chance. Boots in the Park is coming back in September, and we’ll randomly give away another 500 tickets for that concert.
All this is being done in accordance with County policy and procedures. I’m glad we’re able to offer these expressions of thanks for your dedication during these exceptionally trying times.
We’re in public service because we want to make a difference in people’s lives. Every single day, I see the positive impact we are making, and I know it’s the result of all of your individual efforts. I hope every time we recount our successes at the County, you feel seen through your work.
Whenever I talk about what we have achieved, I’m talking about what each one of you has achieved. Take it personally! The tremendous challenges we tackle, the vast array of services we provide – they’re only possible because of the contributions each of you makes. I see that. I see that we are moving forward because you are moving us. I see that the County has been flexible and resilient because you have been. I thank you.
Having that awareness makes me all the more grateful for everything you do, especially these last couple years. You’ve gone through personal difficulties as the pandemic upended everyone’s lives. Many of you have seen changes to your daily work as our Board lays out ambitious new directions for us. There’s a lot going on in the world, and in each of your worlds, that you carry with you as you focus on serving our residents. I see that, and I appreciate it.
I know my colleagues in County leadership share my feelings. We have a short video that highlights just a few of the ways your work benefits the lives of San Diegans. On the same page, you’ll find messages from many of your departments or units. We see your efforts, and I hope you’ll feel our gratitude as we wish each of you a Happy Employee Appreciation Day!
