Incentives for staff

[GMES]

Thought I would put this idea out there for discussion and hopefully get feed back.
I would like to to hear from employees, Bosses & even one man bands can answer from a point of view of they used to be employed before they went solo.
I will start off by saying that the three Lads I have are great lads and are very hard working without the need for a prompt, With us being industrial we are dealing with big cables, power boards etc. It is a daily occurence to install 95mm, 150mm, 240mm swa cables etc etc .

So a couple of months ago I started doing a certificate for employee of the month and it has created a fun response and morale Boost, nothing more than a certificate downloaded and printed on the Office pc.
But immediately I could see the competitive streak emerging in a fun way between them .
I then thought about taking it a step further and doing some type of monthly reward system, possibly a cash reward ( Not talking silly money ) but maybe something between £20.00-50.00 or maybe a meal for the winner and his partner or even a gift voucher for their favourite shop.
As I have already said they all work incredibly hard and this is in no way to try and whip them harder but more so to give a little morale boost once a month,
So what do you all think, I would love some feed back from all of you to get a balanced reaction, before you answer you have the advantage of knowing I am doing this purely as a thank you to them and hopefully boosting them which hopefully breeds an happy and productive enviroment.
Also worth saying I already have an happy bunch of lads who give me their all so this isn't to try and win any favours.
I have created a poll to get some feedback, so please take the time to vote.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

With such a small already motivated team this could back fire and cause jealousy and resentment.

 

[Sintra]

^^^^^ As above with a small team it would be better to reward them all. Why not do a quarterly reward for all 3 with the vouchers or meal etc.

 

[Barry White]

I think a group reward or team effort will be better. But it depends on your team players you know them and how they react. If its working dont fix it.
Seen this done on the factory floor with machine minders and its caused nothing but bitching. (Mainly women on factory floor)

 

[hightower]

Voltz has echoed my feelings. How about instead of pitting them against each other, maybe set a team task each month so that if they complete it they all win together, all lose together?

 

[GMES]

Voltz has echoed my feelings. How about instead of pitting them against each other, maybe set a team task each month so that if they complete it they all win together, all lose together?

Because I'm a Yorkshire man And don't like the idea of 3 prizes
But I can see the appeal of a quarterly prize for all 3 of them. This is why It's good to get a few ideas from you lovely guys.

 

[David M]

Because I'm a Yorkshire man And don't like the idea of 3 prizes
But I can see the appeal of a quarterly prize for all 3 of them. This is why It's good to get a few ideas from you lovely guys.

Your heart is in the right place, but be aware that this could soon become just another bonus scheme where the lads not only expect and take it for granted but also become reliant on it. So I would definitely keep it simple.

It sounds like they work hard and are happy enough as things are
Stay random and just treat them now and then. It will be more appreciated and less stressful than a regular bonus scheme.

Don't want to sound negative, its a good idea, but my advise is based on experience.

 

[Midwest]

Ditto what's been said GMES. I was told once, you'll do everything for a good boss and nothing for a bad one. So looks like you guys don't need prizes.

Up until now, I've always have had bosses, supervisors or as some like to refer to themselves as, superiors. In all my years, only a handful were decent. So I think just continuing as you are, with some odd bonuses or brown envelopes.

PS Strike out the Bowling (see what I did there) and take them to the pub after the karting.

 

[bj the dj]

I am with everyone on this one

reward for all 3 , keep them working as a good team that way

 

[GMES]

@Midwest The only problem with the pub is 2 out of 4 don't drink lol. And I am one of the non drinkers and main sparks is the other even though he is only 25, he has a wise head on his shoulders.
I packed in back in 2014 for no other reason than I was sick of waking up with that Monday groggy head and have never looked back.
But I did give the ball a bloody good kick for 30 years before that.

 

[Andy78]

Firm I was at used to do the usual Christmas party as an incentive. The do was paid for in the main part from the year's scrap collection. This gradually fell out of favour with low attendances as everyone had to be off what with Christmas being a busy time.

The do got changed to a mid summer event instead. A box was hired at the local racecourse, and a buffet and day out was laid on for the lads and their other halves. Turned out to be a great way for everyone to socialise out of work and was a much appreciated thank you for the team.

Not saying you need to go to those lengths, but something that everyone can turn up to and enjoy together might be a nice reward, as well as good for a bit of team bonding.

 

[GMES]

Andy I am already doing a Xmas do , I started another thread somewhere, on the list is paint balling , Go karting and bowling and possibly all 3 so they are getting that regardless, this idea is more about a regular reward.

 

[Midwest]

@Midwest
I packed in back in 2014 for no other reason than I was sick of waking up with that Monday groggy head and have never looked back.

That's cos you were drinking that poor quality stuff from Lidl's. Ok scratch the outing to the pub (can't believe I'm saying this), reinstate the bowling, ditch the certificates (saves on trees), but keep in the idea of brown envelopes.

As they are all working hard for you, they all deserve the same IMO. One of my old firms, used to give us a Capon for Xmas, but that's cos the owner had a poultry firm

 

[Andy78]

How about letting them indulge their inner tool tarts every now and then and getting them something they think would make their job easier. And looks nice and shiny in their toolbox

 

[GMES]

I think after all the comments so far it is definitely looking like a reward for all 3 every quarter, also I may throw in a team building kind of approach , you know like paintballing one-quarter then go Karting another etc and Do that just as something to look forward to every 3 months. As an aside to that I suppose a few quid in an envelope wouldn't hurt.
Thanks for the input so far guys, see at least I listen to my people I won't mention Brexit!!

 

[Midwest]

Introduce them to a pie & a pint

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Great to see I was on the ball with this one. Thanks for everyone's input. GMES, you don't have to be brown enveloping your way to winner of the Best Boss of the Year Awards. These great guys you have are an asset to you and they don't take you for granted if you are supplying regular well paid work to a standard that you get more work from. As another thought, what are their 'in-work benefits?'

Vans, Phones, Pensions, Holiday Pay, Days in Leu, etc?

Turning up with a bacon roll and a cuppa can go down just as well.

First bloke to get me into the trade (family) was light on praise, and a simple 'well done, good job would have meant more than my paid invoice at times.

If you give out constantly (I acknowledge that this has already been mentioned) it comes to be expected, and then it loses it's meaning. Then what happens to morale if you decide to withdraw the scheme further down the line?

My advice is to keep your 'rewards' random, equally awarded, fun, and unpredictable. You will be held in higher regard and the value of your giving will have added value.

I will give a little anecdote here. I had not regularly exchanged birthday cards with, and had lost a little contact with a good friend. So I randomly bought him a Birthday card and sent it to him saying, 'I'm sure you have a Birthday this year, but I can't remember when it is, but have a great one anyway, thinking of you!'

It went down a storm, simply because I sent it when I meant it, not when i was supposed to.

Another one. I had wanted to buy my missus a locket, searched everywhere and couldn't find anything I liked. One day i was working in town and went for a wander at lunchtime, passed the jewellers and found a last of the run, discontinued Welsh gold stunner, with 20% off that week. I bought it and took it home, upstairs and left it on the bed head. This was a random Wednesday in the summer, nowhere near any Birthday or anniversary. She came home in a foul mood late from work and went upstairs for a shower and found it (insert smiley face here).

My point is, if we give when we are expected to, that giving is diminished in meaning. That is why I don't do Christmas.

Voltz.

 

[Midwest]

Brown envelopes mean praise your staff the way you see fit as a good boss.

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

Because I'm a Yorkshire man And don't like the idea of 3 prizes
But I can see the appeal of a quarterly prize for all 3 of them. This is why It's good to get a few ideas from you lovely guys.

Half a shandy each at the end of the month

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

How about letting them indulge their inner tool tarts every now and then and getting them something they think would make their job easier. And looks nice and shiny in their toolbox

Oh now that's a good idea. me personally I love new tools