City of York Council is asking residents to help celebrate the work of its unsung heroes.
Coinciding with National Customer Service Week, the authority is opening up nominations for its annual ‘eXtra factor’ customer service awards which help highlight the dedication and diligence of its staff serving the city in a wide range of roles.
Launched for the first time last year, the eXtra factor customer service awards culminated in a celebratory event for shortlisted employees and the residents who’d nominated them in November at York Explore.
Nominations are now being sought for this year’s awards from local residents up until 4 November. People are being asked to nominate individuals or teams they think have gone the extra mile to make sure they have got the information, advice or help they needed or who they think display exceptional care and commitment in their work, whatever it may be.
Kersten England, chief executive of City of York Council, said: “Every day we know there are many examples of people across the council giving excellent customer service, demonstrating a real passion in their work and pulling out all the stops in their service to customers. The eXtra factor awards aim to officially spotlight these cases where people are really going the extra mile and give individuals and teams, often doing difficult jobs in difficult circumstances, the little bit of ‘extra’ recognition they deserve.”
This scheme plays an important part in the council’s Customer Services Strategy, which aims to establish a reputation for excellent customer service in all that we do and we hope to build on the many positive examples and experiences that people tell us about year after year. ”
Categories include ‘outstanding team’, ‘outstanding individual’, ‘innovation award’ and ‘outstanding service’.
People can nominate a member of staff by completing a form available at council reception points and libraries where there are drop boxes for the forms or they can post them to the Freepost address or complete one online on the council’s website at www.york.gov.uk Nominations can be submitted over a six-week period until Sunday 4 November.
The awards are being sponsored by a number of suppliers and companies with local connections and, as last year, sponsors will also be judging many of the categories and donating and presenting prizes on the night.