• The HR Specialist - Print Newsletter
  • HR Specialist: Employment Law
  • The HR Weekly

Recognition & Rewards

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.

8 no-cost and low-cost perks that workers love

01/07/2013
When you think of rewards that retain employees, you might see only dollar signs. Lots of them. But keeping morale high and employees engaged need not rely only on pay raises. There are plenty of low-cost or even no-cost benefits you can offer to help keep employees engaged and committed.

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 you don’t have a policy on managers handing out holiday gifts, 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: