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Recognition

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Employee's lives come in all shapes and sizes, and so should the rewards given for recognition. In order for recognition to be effective, rewards need to be suited to the different personalities, ages and lifestyles.

When attempting to motivate employees younger than thirty, cash works best. Younger employees appreciate extra money in their wallets more than a pat on the back. If they know there is extra cash involved, they work harder.

The middle-aged guy with two kids in college could use a few extra bucks, however regognition will make him feel good about himself and that's worth more than cash. Especially since in my twenty years as a business owner, I've learned no matter what you pay this group, it will never be enough to ease their debt. Between house payments, car payments, kids in college, credit card debt, health costs, and travel costs, any extra cash gets sucked up without notice. This makes a pat on the back, a picture on the wall, a front row parking space, and tickets to the Red Sox, the perfect type of Employer acknowledgement for the middle-aged.

The senior employee wants both cash and acknowledgement. They're smart, and they've been in the work force long enough to learn the system. At their age, they need both cash and recognition for continued motivation. I say, give it to them.

I have twelve employees with different needs and wants. If I need to motivate the teenage part timer, I throw some cash their way. For some, it comes in the form of a dollar an hour raise. Others, a fifty or hundred dollar bill tossed their way is good incentive for a job well done. Either way, today's youth want the money.

I have a couple of employees over sixty. They are great all around workers. I can count on them never calling in sick and never being late. Dependability and experience are two great employee assets employers lose out on when not hiring elders in the workplace.

By giving older employees both cash and recognition, I can count on them doing an even better job for the weeks to come. I don't see the old age of an employee when they come in to apply. I see the wisdom and ability their experience will bring to my workplace.

As for myself, I have always been motivated by praise versus the cash. Give me the pat on the back anytime over money. I want to know I am doing a good job and someone has taken the time to tell me. Communication when positive, is priceless. Parking up front and the Red Sox tickets would be nice too.

Learn more about this author, Cyn Lee.
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