Frequently Asked Questions

Who can submit an idea?
Any member of staff (Service, Civilian, industrial or non-industrial, part time, casual, locally employed) can make a contribution under the GEMS Scheme. Ideas can be submitted by individuals or by teams.

What about contractor and agency staff?
Providing the contractor or agency staff member are directly employed by the MOD they can submit ideas.  The idea must benefit the MOD and not already covered by any contracts in place or under consideration.

Are Total Quality (TQ) organisations barred from GEMS?
No. Ideas are welcome from staff in organisations that practice TQ techniques. Account will be taken, when reaching an award decision, of the extent to which staff have been directed to develop their idea as part of their duties.

Can I suggest to my staff particular areas to look at for their ideas?
Providing that you don't identify the problem and/or arrange a meeting, workshop or similar activity to generate solutions you are free to help your staff in identifying areas of improvement.

What sort of ideas?
Anything that results in an improvement to the MOD or the Services. Ideas don't have to be complicated or 'technical', in fact the simple ideas are often the best. They may relate to your local area, or have wider use within the MOD.  Previous ideas submitted range from changing a form to make it more user friendly through to technical enhancements for warships.

How big are the awards?
The award received depends on the suggestion and the savings and/or benefits generated by its implementation.  Award Groups have 4 award options open to them when assessing suggestions, these are; No Award, Saving Based Award (Max £10,000), Benefit Based Award (Max £3,000) or Encouragement Award (Max £50).  All of the awards are explained in detail in the GEMS Scheme Instructions.

What are the chances of me getting an award?
Again, that depends on your idea.  Providing your idea is implemented you are likely to get an award.

How can I increase my chances of getting an award?
Think carefully about how your idea could be put into practice, what would improve as a result and how you could demonstrate the resulting benefits. A little time spent on researching and developing a practical solution is likely to be more successful than a "what if " approach.

What if it's my job?
Ideas that are wholly within your job terms of reference will not normally be awarded. However, many successful ideas come from people who spot opportunities in the course of their work and whose initiative in developing solutions goes beyond what could reasonably be expected of them.

What if my idea is already in use?
You are still able to enter it as a GEMS suggestion (provided this is not more than 3 years after the date of implementation). An important note of the GEMS Scheme is to provide recognition for good ideas that are implemented.

What about IT suggestions?
While IT-related ideas are welcomed, the widespread availability of IT skills and software perhaps means that a suggestion must go beyond what would normally be expected, both in respect of the technology used and the ability of the suggestor/users, to qualify for a GEMS award.

How can an Award Group understand my idea?
Award Groups do not have to be expert in the particular field of your idea – that is the job of the evaluator, to whom ideas are sent for assessment. The evaluator is chosen from the organisation which has particular responsibility for the topic covered by your idea; for example an idea concerning equipment will be sent to the appropriate equipment manager. The role of the awards group is to confirm the eligibility of your idea and reach an award decision based on the evaluator’s advice and the detailed GEMS instructions issued to them.

Why should people receive awards just for doing their job?
Only in very exceptional circumstances will someone be eligible for a GEMS award for something that is wholly within his/her normal duties. Their idea would have to be very exceptional, have very widespread use or have been adapted for a role significantly different from that for which it was originally intended. However many good ideas come from staff who spot opportunities in the course of their work, but which are not strictly part of their job responsibilities. This is just one of the ways in which the MOD can recognise and reward individuals for their initiative and commitment to improving the environment around them.

Why are awards taxed?
GEMS awards are classified as income as such they are subject to tax and national insurance contributions.  Under the arrangements with HMRC some awards do qualify for an exception from tax and national insurance, this exception can be applied to the whole award or a percentage of the calculated award depending on the type of award.

Who benefits from the savings generated by ideas?
GEMS is a Defence-wide scheme, which encourages all staff to submit ideas affecting any part of the Defence organisation. Savings resulting from ideas will benefit whichever budget is affected by the idea. Budget holders may use these savings for improvements within their organisation or to contribute to their efficiency targets.

How does GEMS compare with other ideas schemes?
The GEMS Scheme compares well to other suggestion schemes, we have the largest number of staff with access to a suggestion scheme, an average of 2,000 suggestions per year and the highest level of awards payable in recognition of an implemented suggestion.  For these reasons and the way in which the scheme is applied and run throughtout the MOD, GEMS is seen as one of the best schemes in the world (covering both public and private sectors).