CAMP ZAMA, Japan (Oct. 10, 2014) -- The U.S. Army Japan and I Corps (Forward) and U.S. Army Garrison Japan hosted their inaugural "Employee Appreciation Day," Oct. 9 at Yano Field, on the Camp Zama installation, here.
Employees from the Camp Zama, Sagami General Depot, Yokohoma North Dock and Sagamihara Family Housing Area closed their offices for day-to-day functions to spend a day of comradery with their fellow colleagues, said Col. Joy Curriera, the commander of USAG-J.
Employees spent the day playing several games such as golf, bowling, ping-pong, volley ball, badminton, musical chairs, tug-of-war, and relay race competitions.
Several employees, to include the Garrison commander and deputy to the Garrison commander, Freddie L. Giddens, spent time is the "Camp Zama Jail," a makeshift jail house where employees could put other employees in jail for any reason. One employee, Paul Sterns, acting director of the Camp Zama Morale, Welfare and Recreation, was put in the jailhouse for having, "too much hair."
"Employee Appreciation Day is important to show workers that you care about their whole well being, not just their job performance," said Camp Zama employee, Tanesha Clark, director of Internal Review.
Many of the employees thought this day was just another mandatory event, said Curriera, but after many of the event started, the employees really began to appreciate the day.
"I am hopeful that (a) majority (of employees) here, would agree, that it really is a great day."
"Different things motivate different people," said Giddens, "and based on the participation, I think the motivation we were looking for worked."
Commanding leaders say "thank you" to small groups or individual employees with award ceremony throughout the year, said Curriera; however, "this (day) is a way to publicly recognize everyone… for the roles they take that contribute to the overall mission."
The biggest benefit for the employees, Giddens said, is to understand that the leaderships care about them, as well as the customers that come through the front door.
"Serve those who serve, while serving the needs of others," said Giddens.
Clark said today gave her the opportunity to learn new things about people.
"I had time to build team cohesion by doing fun things and working together with my fellow employees."
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