Where I work at we have a service award that clients can give to us for really going above & beyond for them. I have been nominated for one…by my coworkers. I don’t feel that it means the same coming from coworkers as from clients.
HR says that they have been asked several times about me being allowed to receive the award prior to this. They forwarded me the applications that people have filled out to give me the award over the years for similar reasons to the person who most recently nominated me. I’ve read through all of them. None of them are about outstanding service, or being good in my field.
Instead they’re all about times when I’ve done things, a lot of them very small, to help my coworkers out when I saw that they were having a hard day. Mostly it was just basic respectful behavior. I don’t feel like anything mentioned in any of the applications, singly or altogether, that actually rises to the level of being deserving of recognition.
The thing is HR told me that the most recent coworker to recommend me wants to present me the award @ a special meeting. I’m not comfortable in receiving an award that I don’t really deserve. I’m not comfortable receiving a special presentation of said award. Is there a way to refuse the award without being a jerk but also to let my coworkers that I appreciate them thinking about me?
Would it make a difference to you to think of your coworkers as “in-house clients”? And that they clearly think you have gone above & beyond in ensuring that they themselves are enabled to help your employer’s external clients?
YTA. I don’t think there’s a way to refuse it without being seen as a self-important jerk.
YWBTA – You may not want the award but you should accept it. These “small” things you have done obviously meant a lot to your co-workers. Have you read all of the other posts about people feeling overlooked or not respected at work? Be glad the people you work with wants to do this for you.
Clearly the things you’re doing aren’t typical respectful behavior, or you wouldn’t be nominated for the award! I do think YWBTA, sorry. The fact that your colleagues like and respect you and feel you’ve been a kind person over the years is not to be dismissed! Even if you don’t think you’ve earned it, they’re clearly seeing something you don’t.
YTA go do some read-up on Dolly Parton initially refusing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honor because she didn’t feel she fit the criteria. After the nomination process was explained to her and why she was being honored, she gracefully accepted. So should you
You have multiple coworkers who, over multiple years, have thought you worthy of recognition multiple times.
Take the compliment in the spirit with which it was offered.
YWBTA for refusing.
YWBTA. Just accept it and say thanks. If multiple people have nominated you then it is obvious what may seem like “basic respectful behavior” to you is going above and beyond the norm. It’s okay to let people celebrate you.
Sounds like there should be an “outstanding colleague award” at your job which is what people recognize you for. You might not feel that you do anything exceptional but sounds like people really appreciate it and for them it is unusual and something they wanna encourage.
I think either accept the award or suggest to HR to make a new award category so you feel more comfortable. The special meeting sounds a little elaborate to me too so I would decline that. NAH.
I would just go with it. Play it down..be humble. Praise your coworkers and be brief
I think you need to think more about this. Yes, it’s hurtful to those who appreciate you to reject their appreciation. But why don’t you recognize that supporting your coworkers in large and small ways is worthy of recognition? Why are you being so rigid?
YW(kinda)BTA. I get it. I don’t like attention. And to me doing my job is my job. But coworkers can also be internal clients. You’re questioning their judgement and their values. Just because you don’t see the value in what you do doesn’t mean you get to say that they can’t. If you don’t feel comfortable being singled out at a meeting have a discussion with HR or your supervisor saying that you’re happy to receive it and you’re grateful but that you would prefer it be presented privately. HR should be able to find a way to honor it. Also to me. the nominating individual should not be the presenter in any case. The nominator nominates, but they do not issue it, HR or your boss does. Especially since you had multiple nominators over the years.
In answer to your question: “Is there a way to refuse the award without being a jerk” No. No there really isn’t.
YWBTA. Accept the award with grace and gratitude and move on.
Most people complain that their co-workers do not notice those kind of small (or large) helping-them-out gestures or are flat-out taking advantage of the willingness to help.
You have co-workers that are not like that. That is rare and beautiful. Let them give you the award as a token of their appreciation – accepting it would be your token of appreciation to them for noticing your gestures and not being assholes who take advantage of you.