NAPERVILLE, Ill.–With its 115 league and service corporation employees working from home, the Illinois Credit Union System found a way to lift spirits by rebranding its quarterly office employee recognition program while also benefiting a local animal shelter.
ICUS staff were encouraged to introduce “new team members,” otherwise known as their pets, with pictures and funny professional biographies to share throughout the organization. Each day, a new “team member” was introduced and welcomed to the ICUS family. After 44 daily announcements of more than 75 “new team members,” employees were given the chance to vote for their favorite to be named the ICUS Employee of the Quarantine (a play on the existing Employee of the Quarter award).
According to the ICUS, many perks were granted to the winner, including a donation made on their behalf to a local animal shelter.
“We are operating under a very stressful time, but these announcements were able help everyone stay engaged and connected, while providing a few smiles along the way,” said ICUL President Tom Kane. “This contest also created a giveback opportunity that our staff could participate in without dismissing the social responsibility of sheltering in place. That’s what is so great about the credit union movement. We don’t allow challenges to prevent us from giving back to the communities we serve, instead they inspire us to do more.”