SC Employee Recognition Includes Fun Park Outing

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ An amusement park outing, barbecue lunches and director dunking booths are among the ways that South Carolina state agencies showed appreciation for their employees. All state agencies were encouraged to do something on May 9 for State Employee Recognition Day, proclaimed this year by Gov. Nikki Haley. The Commerce Department treated 69 employees to an afternoon at Frankie’s Fun Park. The $2,280 trip included lunch and remarks by Secretary Bobby Hitt, who says employee morale and teamwork are essential to an agency’s success. The unemployment agency held a barbecue picnic for about $7,800, while the Medicaid agency will provide lunch June 22 for 1,200 employees, costing $16,800. A survey Friday of all Cabinet-level agencies shows no-cost recognitions included a thank-you e-mail from the top boss and benefits counseling sessions.