Everyone likes to be rewarded for their hard work, but often that does not occur in the workplace. You expect your employees to work hard, yet do you offer them rewards for doing so? Many employers consider the employee paycheck as the reward, but it can be something much simpler than that. A little recognition can go a long way when it comes to fueling productivity, efficiency, and imagination.
What Rewards to Offer
Every company will have different rewards to offer, depending on the environment of their workplace. In some work settings, simple verbal praise is enough to increase employee energy, while in others, physical rewards are necessary. Performance-based incentives can encourage employees to work harder, especially if the compensation is a bonus; or sometimes simple employee recognition, such as “Employee of the Month” or “Sales Person of the Year,” gives employees something to work towards.
What Rewards Do
Rewards might seem small, in the grand scheme of things, but the fact that you are recognizing employees for a job well done could be enough to encourage higher productivity. When employees realize that their superiors are watching them and are appreciative of the work that they are doing, they are more likely to feel encouraged, rather than fall into the normal hum-drum of the workplace, only showing up to collect a paycheck.
As a part of your wellness program, consider implementing a rewards program. It can be something as simple as recognizing employees in a monthly newsletter, or something on a greater scale that gives employees a tangible reward. Think about your employees and what would motivate them the most, and work from there to create the right program for your environment.
