Recognition & Rewards

Promise of company vacation keeps productivity humming

12/01/2006

Employees of Canada’s Great Little Box Co. have a daily incentive to meet their goals: a trip on the company’s dollar …

Paying employees for healthy lifestyles helps trim premiums

11/01/2006

The city of Maple Grove, Minn., found a sure-fire way to convince its employees to adopt healthier lifestyles: It pays them to do it …

Texas employer honored for disability hiring

09/01/2006

The EEOC recently honored Fluor Corporation of Sugar Land, Texas, as one of seven companies across the country cited for their efforts in promoting inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace …

Cut turnover by teaching managers how to respect staff

07/01/2006

Employees who feel less respected by their superiors are more likely to jump ship. The lesson: Treating workers with respect and dignity is ultracritical to retaining good workers, especially in a hot job market …

Do you need a music policy for the ‘iPod generation’?

05/01/2006

The advent of MP3 players, satellite radio and Internet-based music makes it easy to rock and roll at work. Such distractions can reduce employee productivity and even create create legal risks. Establish a music/noise policy before it becomes a problem …

12 Real-Life Employee Appreciation Strategies That Work

03/01/2006

March 10 is Employee Appreciation Day, but you can show your gratitude throughout the year. Studies show that employees who feel valued are more likely to stay … Choose your favorite ideas from among these real-life suggestions …

Employee Appreciation Day: March 10

02/01/2006

Employers host employee-recognition events throughout the year, but the second Friday in March (March 10 this year) is the official Employee Appreciation Day, according to the Society for Human Resource Management …

Taking FMLA/paid leave together may forfeit attendance bonuses

11/01/2005

When employees return from FMLA leave, they should be given the same or equivalent position with equivalent benefits. FMLA regulations say that bonuses for “job-related performance, such as for perfect attendance” …

Case studies in ‘strategic praising’: 6 steps to success

08/01/2005

Issue: How to use rewards and recognition in the best (and most cost-efficient) way to motivate employees.
Benefits: By making recognition a companywide effort, you remove a burden from you …

Promote staff volunteerism, but not for firm’s benefit

06/01/2005

Q. Our CEO just implemented a new employee evaluation goal based on their volunteer work throughout the year. The more they volunteer, the higher the points they receive on their review, ultimately increasing their salary. Can we do this without risk? —T.M., Maine