On the Spot Award

The On The Spot Award recognizes FOA employees who demonstrate exceptional effort, initiative, or creativity in the moment—whether by solving a pressing issue, stepping in to support a colleague, or delivering standout service during a critical task.

Designed for immediate recognition, this award allows departments to quickly acknowledge contributions that go beyond expectations and help move our work forward.

  • Who’s eligible: All FOA employees
  • What it’s for: Recognizing a specific action or response that made a meaningful impact.
  • How it works: Departments typically coordinate spot awards centrally, so check with your supervisor on how recognition is managed in your unit. Gifts should be purchased using SCM-recommended methods outlined on the How to Buy page and must be recorded in the FOA Gift Log in the month they are purchased and issued.
  • Important: To avoid tax implications, keep individual gifts under $75. Giving one gift over $75 or giving more than three gifts in a year, regardless of amount, will be considered taxable income and subject to payroll taxes. See rules about employee non-cash awards and other gifts for more details.

With the On The Spot Award, we highlight the everyday moments where exceptional work happens — often quietly, but always worth recognizing.