Creative Ways to Motivate and Reward Employees in 2009 (1/09)
By Rachel Baarz
The wrapping paper has been recycled, the decorations are tucked away in the closet and the giant Santa on the neighbor’s roof is gone, so it must be January!
Hopefully you sit reading this article well-rested, refreshed and eager to see what lies ahead in 2009.
Or maybe not!
I have heard from friends, family and former co-workers that this past holiday season just wasn’t the same and they’re feeling less than excited about returning to work. Many companies decided to cut back on the annual employee dinner party or forgo it altogether. Some companies slashed holiday bonus checks or opted to give out a turkey or ham instead of cash. Needless to say, while those I know are thankful to have a job in these tough economic times, there are feelings of not being appreciated after a year’s worth of hard work.
Hearing these sentiments from so many people I decided to put on my “librarian” hat and do some research on ways employers can motivate and reward employees even in a recession.
Bob Nelson is one of the world’s leading authorities on employee motivation and management and president of Nelson Motivation Inc., a management training and consulting company that specializes in helping organizations improve their management practices, programs and systems. In his book, 1001 Ways to Reward Employees, Mr. Nelson states: “While money is important to employees, research shows that what motivates them to really perform—and to perform at higher levels—is the thoughtful, personal kind of recognition that signifies true appreciation for a job well done.”
With that in mind I present to you some suggestions for low-cost or nearly-free ways to show an employee they’re appreciated or recognized for a job well done:
- Certificate of Appreciation personally presented to the employee by the manager or supervisor
- A handwritten thank-you note specifically listing the way(s) the employee went “above and beyond”
- An extra day off in December for shopping or holiday preparation
- A “Free Day” on or close to employee’s birthday or anniversary
- A Day of Appreciation where the employee is presented with small gifts by fellow employees who also reserve 10-minute time slots to visit the exceptional employee throughout the day and thank them for a specific job well done
- Front row, reserved parking space for a week
- An extended lunch hour
- The opportunity to leave early on a Friday or come in late on Monday
- Coupon for free ice cream in the summer or hot cider in the winter
- Fresh flowers or objet d’art to enhance an employee’s work space
It’s worth mentioning that you don’t have to be a manager or supervisor to motivate and reward others. Peer-to-peer recognition is often the best kind to receive. When Jane is able to cover your mid-day shift on the reference desk so you can be front row to watch Bobby in the lead role of the school play … show your appreciation! A note or card shows the recipient you took the time to write out a thank-you for the help you received.
I encourage all of you to let those you work with know how you like to be motivated and rewarded. What works for one person may not work for others. That parking space reserved for “Librarian of the Month” right next to the door means nothing to the person who prefers public transportation or carpools into work with a neighbor!
