Many companies have been hit hard by these economic times — and as a manager, you know how rough it can be for your team’s morale to find out that benefits are being cut, salaries frozen, or even that some positions may be in jeopardy.
How do you reward employee performance when your organization may be financially strapped?
Working from home: Even the option of working from home a single day a week — or a month — can be a great reward for an employee. Let’s face it, gas prices keep rising and every day without driving can help ease an employee’s personal budget. And employees who are able to work from home at times feel trusted and valued by their organization — and the good ones repay that trust!
Written thank-yous: It’s a great emotional lift when a person’s work is recognized — and taking the time to write a specific thank-you when employees go above and beyond, or even just to show your appreciation that they have a great attitude, can really put a smile on their faces — and show that you really do notice and appreciate it.
Create a recognition program: Formally recognizing outstanding achievements on a regular basis is a great incentive. And you can even get everybody involved by asking for coworker’s nominations — and reading them aloud. Sometimes the recognition alone is enough, but consider alternative rewards as well — like leaving early for a day, or seeing if you can budget in a lunch or inexpensive gift card.
Team-building day — or even just an hour: It doesn’t even have to be out of the office — but a performance-based team-building event can be motivating and fun. Inexpensive options could be as simple as a game of Pictionary or Hangman on an office whiteboard, or a game of charades. Of course, you have to pick an activity that fits the personalities of your team — but a chance to laugh and have some fun together can really increase morale.
Flexible scheduling: If it’s possible for your department, offering flexible scheduling is a great way to reward employees and keep them happy. Employees able to arrive and leave an hour early or an hour later can not only take advantage of their own peak productivity times, but it can be a weight lifted off their shoulders if they’re jugging family obligations.
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Posted by: 1
04/07/12 at 02:16 PM
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Posted by: -1'
04/07/12 at 02:16 PM
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Posted by: 1
04/07/12 at 02:16 PM
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Posted by: 1
03/08/12 at 05:17 PM
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Posted by: -1'
03/08/12 at 05:17 PM
-1'
Posted by: 1
03/08/12 at 05:17 PM
Excellent Sue Ann, hope the right people take the time to read it!
Posted by:
03/09/11 at 08:26 AM
A recognition program where the company's employees "nominate" other coworkers for a job well done and/or exceptional internal customer service.
The "reward" can be as simple as a "certificate" or a brief article in the company newsletter or a "trinket" that says "YOU ROCK" on it. Or it can be a small monetary "reward" like a gift card to their favorite coffee shop, a lottery ticket, etc.
People like to be recognized!
Posted by: Sue Ann
03/08/11 at 02:57 PM
I also write a message to each employee on their first paycheck of each month thanking them for a great job, hard work, good care...
Posted by: Kristi
03/05/11 at 11:04 PM
We created "happy bucks" for our staff caught doing something "above & beyond." They are given in $1,$2 or $3 on colored paper, identifying to whom, why and from who. Every quarter we have a shopping day for them to come and spend these "bucks." The items they shop for have a "reachable" value placed on them. All items have been donated by any of the staff. Our upper management are the givers of these bucks showing appreciation and building a stronger team. It's an easy and fun way to reward and thank staff. (Perhaps you have a gift you know you don't need or won't use and can donate it to the cause at your work?)
Posted by: Kristi
03/05/11 at 11:02 PM
Post KUDOS cards for everyone to see on a KUDOS board with a reason for receiving the KUDOS note. They love and appreciate it!
Posted by: Ronnica
03/03/11 at 02:17 PM
Post KUDOS cards for everyone to see on a KUDOS board with a reason for receiving the KUDOS note. They love and appreciate it!
Posted by: Ronnica
03/03/11 at 02:16 PM
Its a great way to entrench your position as a leader, a person of care and concern. One that shows appreciation and understands and embraces the value that is exuded from one's performance.
The true servant leader is to enhance the life of someone both in and out of work...That's the whole point of being a leader!
Posted by: Mark C
03/03/11 at 09:30 AM
Team morale is often overlooked completely these days.
An easy, valuable and cost-effective tool to use to boost team morale is SendOutCards! For as little as 62 cents (plus 44 cents postage), you can say "Thank You" or "Nice Job" with a real card (with a real stamp) with the clikc of the mouse from the comfort & convenience of your office or home. You can include gifts or gift cards too! To learn more visit:
www.sendoutcards.com/heart_hugs
Posted by: GiGi S
03/02/11 at 02:35 PM
I love these ideas. I need to convince the doctors.
Posted by: Roxie
03/02/11 at 02:31 PM
Thank you for sharing this great articule with us. This is my first time getting it and I love it already. I will be participating with suggestions and articules about issues that affect the managers on a daily basis. We all are going through pay cuts, reduce staff,take aways beneffits and do more with less.
Keep sending me this great news.
Thank you
Posted by: javier capuchino
03/02/11 at 12:36 PM
Having fun is important. I have 'Fun' on my weekly team meeting agenda. I believe that the group is much closer as a result of this minor addition to the schedule.
Posted by:
03/02/11 at 12:12 PM
Working from home is over-hyped as productive and a perk. Just call it a day off.
Posted by: Phil
03/02/11 at 11:39 AM
I work in a 24/7 hospice facility where employees can not work from home or even flex their hours. Staff does not even have a hour to devote to team building and then it would only involve those working at that time. Any suggestions for this type of situation????
Posted by: Jeanne Conway
03/02/11 at 11:38 AM
I am lucky enough (blessed really) to work for a company who embraces these on a regular basis. I clicked on these for myself and my team and was very pleased to see how they are all already incorporated into our company. Thank you for your newsletter. I loved the quote by Paul Hawken. An example of what my own manager does very well... Thank you!
Catherine Faulkner
Manager of Real Estate
Posted by:
03/02/11 at 10:22 AM
We are working on a non monetary reward program right now. Our wages have been frozen for the last three years and we still have at least one more year to go. The employees used to have a good time at work but morale has really dropped. More to do, same amount of time and no added pay. If anyone has a good idea for non monetary rewards we are open to suggestions.
Posted by: LouAnn
03/02/11 at 10:16 AM
Great article!!!
Posted by: Susan
03/02/11 at 10:06 AM
I used to have a book that I used when I was in middle ganagement called the "One Minute Manager" it was very usefull to because I did not have the authority to do much other praise or Discipline my charges. This is a great tool, however, it only works for a limited time, since we all get hit in the pocketbook.
Posted by: Susan Bish
03/02/11 at 09:48 AM
Having management, from the top down, participate in most social (getting to know you) activities shows the rest of the employees that they are human beings. Yes, they can keep their dignity and not make a fool out of themselves, but participating also lets them see their employees in a different light. Thus, everyone gets to know each other better. Just a thought.
Posted by: Jane
03/02/11 at 09:43 AM
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