Strictly Business feature: Three thoughts on how to reward good employees
| Thursday, Nov 12 2009 05:56 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Nov 12 2009 05:58 PM
Images
Casey Christie / The Californian Della Hodson, is the President & Chief Professional Officer with United Way of Kern County.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Steve Renock, CEO of KSFCU, spoke to the Bakersfield Californian editorial board.
Kathleen Allman
As a means of recognizing hard work, the offer of continued employment goes only so far. This is especially true at a time of extra-lean staffing. But try as they might, managers in this economy typically don't have much to work with in the way of financial incentives.
Our question: Short of a raise or a bonus, what are the best ways to reward good employees in times like these?
Whether times are good or bad, one of the most effective employee rewards is a simple "thank you." Getting out from behind the desk and visiting the employee to express your appreciation face-to-face goes a long way. Or take a moment during a staff meeting to publicly acknowledge outstanding effort and performance. In this high tech world, an old-fashioned thank you card or hand-written note is a pleasant, personal touch.
Even in difficult times, a small recognition budget that allows managers to give employees small tokens -- like a gift card for lunch or coffee -- is well worth the minimal cost. I keep a file of questionnaires with information about my employees' hobbies and interests so I can personalize these gifts.
Study after study has demonstrated that most people are not motivated by money alone. There will always be competition for good employees, and it is important that employers maintain both a competitive compensation package and a positive work environment.
-- Della D. Hodson, president, United Way of Kern County
In this tough economy, it is difficult for many companies to recognize the efforts of their employees with raises and/or bonuses. It is still vitally important to make sure employees know their hard work and dedication is appreciated, and one of the best ways to do that is with personal, public recognition for a job well done. This should not just come from the immediate supervisors, but also from the highest levels of the organization.
I've spent a lot of time in my first three weeks at KSFCU visiting our branch offices and operations centers to meet our team members and to thank them for their efforts. This has also provided me with the opportunity to hear their concerns and the issues they face every day when dealing with people who have been adversely affected by the economy. Letting them know we're all in this together helps ease the sting of less monetary compensation.
Other forms of group recognition also work, such as bringing in lunch or snacks for departments that go above and beyond the normal call of duty.
-- Steve Renock, president and chief executive officer of Kern Schools Federal Credit Union
The greatest reward in health care is knowing that you improved the life of your patient. Caring for people is most rewarding.
Our mission statement requires our employees to be committed to providing safe, affordable, state-of-the-art health care to patients, physicians and the community with compassion and efficiency. Employees join our team based on their honesty, ethics and belief in our mission to provide quality care. Employees experience the reward of successfully caring for all patients and not just solving their health problems.
This is easily reflected by the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaires and thank you cards. We are truly blessed by the satisfaction of our patients.
Managing the work environment is equally as important. Our commitment to respect, consideration and dignity extends to employees, physicians, patients and their families. A respectful environment is imperative. Every employee appreciates the affirmation of a job well done from patients and physicians. Physicians and managers genuinely say "Thank you" and "Great Job," even in the toughest of circumstances. Caring is its own reward.
-- Kathleen Allman, chief executive officer, Millennium Surgery Center Inc.
