The director of administrative services may institute an employee awards system designed to encourage all state employees to submit suggestions that will reduce the costs, or improve the quality, of state services. Employee awards granted under the system may be either monetary or nonmonetary. The director shall provide, by rule, reasonable standards for determining the amount, not to exceed five thousand dollars per employee, of any cash award, and for determining the value of any nonmonetary award, that may be given for a suggestion. The department of administrative services shall review each adopted suggestion and determine the amount or type of award, if any, to be given.

In addition to the employees award system, the director may establish a program for the recognition of exemplary performance of employees paid in accordance with section 124.152 of the Revised Code and those employees listed in divisions (B)(2) and (4) of section 124.14 of the Revised Code. The program may include, but is not limited to, cash awards, additional leave, or other provisions as the director considers appropriate, and the director shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code to provide for the administration of the program.