Recognition & Rewards

Avoid tax trap built into holiday gift cards for employees

10/23/2023

In today’s inflationary economy, employees will probably be thrilled to receive gift cards redeemable for merchandise or—even better!—gasoline. Who wouldn’t like 25 or 50 extra bucks during the holidays? However, employees’ excitement may dim when they realize the value of those gift cards counts as taxable income. That’s because giving gift cards to employees is the plastic equivalent of giving them cash—and cash is always taxable.

Take every opportunity to deliver positive feedback

09/27/2023

For some employees, hearing words of praise is better than a cash bonus—and such praise is a key reason people want to stay in their jobs. Yet many managers can muster up such phrases only during annual reviews … if at all. Here are 10 key ideas managers should consider when offering positive feedback to employees.

Betting on a bonus? Not if you wagered on who’d get COVID

09/20/2023

In late 2020, Tyson Foods fired seven of its pork processing plant managers after they were caught betting on which of their employees would next get sick with COVID. Not content with leaving well enough alone, five of the seven fired managers sued Tyson Foods claiming that the company owed them a bonus payment.

How does your company compare on total rewards?

03/23/2023

Total rewards are about much more than compensation. According to the WorldatWork association’s 2022 In Review: Total Rewards Inventory of Programs & Practices report, total rewards encompass best HR practices around work flexibility, performance management and employee benefits in addition to pay.

Catch people doing good and reward them for it

12/22/2022

Read any leadership book or attend any leadership seminar and you will often hear that employer recognition does not happen often enough. It’s a fact that best-selling leadership author Paul Falcone wholeheartedly agrees with. And recognizing employees’ efforts publicly—and often—is key.

Snapshot: It’s not too late for holiday gifts

12/20/2022

Many companies try to recognize employees with something extra this time of year. What “extras”? Cash tops the list.

Despite higher salaries, pay raise requests will rise

10/14/2022

While many savvy employers now offer higher salaries to attract and retain talent, they should still expect pay raise requests ahead of 2023, according to a Robert Half survey of 1,000 U.S. workers and 1,500 hiring managers conducted between June and July.

2023 might be a banner year for pay raises

09/29/2022

As Americans try to cope with the highest inflation rate in 40 years, employers plan to offer their workers an annual raise of 4%, according to a recent survey by Salary.com.

Great Resignation equals great time to create a compensation strategy

09/29/2022

Low pay is the top reason employees are leaving companies in record numbers, according to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey. But close behind is the lack of opportunities for advancement. What if you could implement a compensation strategy to address both issues? It’s a win-win.

Small employer alternatives to substantial wage increases

09/28/2022

When employees consider new job offers, they typically compare the total compensation packages. Make the comparison easy by providing a clear summary of total compensation, including all benefits. If the bottom-line number needs to be higher, think creatively about new or enhanced benefits.