EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

STEMS Program
ARAMARK Initiatives
Online Feedback Form

STEMS PROGRAM

DUSDAC initiated the STudent-EMployee Switch program (STEMS) in the fall of 2000. The program involved undergraduate students, many of whom served on the Committee, switching places with foodservice employees. Participating students folded wraps, served hush puppies,
and grilled quesadillas hand-in-hand with employees in the Great Hall and the East Marketplace. The program's goal was to spur individual relationships between students and employees and enhance students' understanding of what it's like to work in food service.

ARAMARK INITIATIVES

Aramark is a Philadelphia-based food-services company that runs several of Duke's on-campus eateries, including the Great Hall and the Marketplace. DUSDAC works very closely with Aramark and Dining Services to improve menu variety, employee training, and customer satisfaction. The following is a summary of some of the initiatives DUSDAC and Aramark have brought forth to improve employee relations.

"I Got Caught Doing Something Great" Program

This is a program designed by both DUSDAC and Aramark to highlight exceptional performance of dining employees. Employees earn "Devil Bucks" that can be traded in for great prizes, like movie tickets, gift certificates, or dinners. To get a coupon, the manager on site must "catch" an employee going above and beyond his or her daily tasks and responsibilities.

Safety Bingo

This incentive program was implemented to encourage safety awareness and practice among dining employees. Every employee receives a bingo card, and a number is called each day as long as a workplace accident requiring outside medical treatment does not occur. Those that get bingo are eligible to receive a giftcard to Wal-Mart.

Bringing Employees Together Committee

This committee of hourly employees meets once a month to organize social activities such as bowling and Employee Family Day. The purpose of the committee is team-building among employees.

ONLINE FEEDBACK FORM

Employees can leave questions or comments for DUSDAC to address using this online form. Alternatively, you may email us at <dusdac@duke.edu> Thank you for your input.