RECOGNITION & REWARDS

The case against perfect-attendance awards

04/12/2013
Many employers use perfect-attendance awards as a tool to cure their absenteeism problems. But for both legal and non-legal reasons, these may not be the right carrots. Here’s why:

12 low-cost employee-appreciation strategies that work

02/01/2013

Money is great. Benefits are nice. But there’s one key thing that keeps good employees from walking away: knowing that management appreciates them and their work. Here are 12 low-cost ways that your organization can show gratitude to your employees all year.

The most affordable recognition: A pat on the back from the boss goes a long way

01/14/2013
Recognition from “the company” is one thing, but for most employees, their manager and direct supervisors are the face of the organization. Any positive reinforcement from them means something extra special. Here are some suggestions you can pass on to managers and supervisors.

Go ahead and trim the tree--while keeping your party liability-free

12/01/2012

The holiday spirit is spreading! A new survey shows that more than 83% of employers are planning year-end holiday parties this year, up from 68% in 2011. But for us worrywarts in HR, all that good cheer means more fretting about alcohol-fueled liability. Here are 12 tips for making spirits bright without having to call a lawyer — plus a rundown of the 10 worst workplace party fouls.

Gift-giving guidelines for managers

11/09/2012
The holiday season is the perfect time for managers to express their appreciation for the hard work their employees have done. If your organization doesn’t have a policy on managers handing out holiday gifts to staff, follow these guidelines to keep morale intact and legal complaints away.

Turn your recognition program on its head with peer-to-peer initiatives

11/07/2012

Is your recognition program a top-down affair, with execs deciding how to sprinkle around the praise and prizes? Actually, studies show peer-to-peer recognition can boost employee morale and productivity more than traditional reward programs. Some examples:

Employee 'GEMs' honored in front of bosses and peers

09/25/2012
Executives at Compass Group believe their front-line employees make magic. In fact, the brass calls the housekeeping and facilities management firm’s hourly employees “GEMs,” which stands for “Great Employees Make Magic.”

Pennsylvania recognizes workers who help cut state costs

08/27/2012

Pennsylvania state officials are en­­couraging government employees to figure out ways to spend less money and work more efficiently. Gov. Tom Corbett put out the call for “innovation initiatives” in March, and so far, 130 are in progress.

Airline employees can win $10,000 for good customer care

07/02/2012
US Airways employees who go out of their way to help the airlines’ customers get more than job satisfaction or a pat on the back from a supervisor. They can win up to $10,000 for their extra effort.

Giving gift cards as a benefit: 9 key do's and don'ts

05/03/2012
Prepaid gift cards are an increasingly popular tool to motivate and reward employees. However, employers often weaken the impact by simply handing them out without a strategy. Get the most out of prepaid cards with these tips:

Recognize the power of public 'kudos'

04/03/2012
The nonprofit group Food & Friends has a low turnover rate—more than 70% of employees having been with the organization for at least five years. One key retention strategy: “Kudos” are read at weekly staff meetings.

Creative perks from this year's '100 Best Companies to Work For' list

03/29/2012
Rather than reinvent the wheel, “borrow” some of these unique, low-cost benefits from employers on Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list, which includes several small and midsize businesses.

PwC enhances effort to hang on to top staff

02/24/2012
To enhance its approach to compensation and development, PwC has added several programs to demonstrate the long-term value of building a career at the professional services firm formerly known as PricewaterhouseCoopers.

12 compensation trends to watch in 2012

01/10/2012
The average pay raise will be modest this year—around 3%—compared to about 4% from 2005 to 2008, just before the economy tanked. Here are a dozen pay trends to consider as your organization weighs how to structure compensation in an age of diminished expectations.

Better performance through recognition: 8 steps

01/09/2012
Slower economies tend to reduce employers’ incentives to say “thank you,” either with pay, perks or actions. Still, a 3% dip in the percentage of companies using recognition programs since 2008 doesn’t suggest a permanent decline, according to a survey by WorldatWork. Eight tips to create a recognition program that drives performance:
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