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Money

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Although both recognition and money are appreciated, when it comes to motivating people to be more productive, increase the quality of their work or do more than the minimum, money is absolutely the preferred motivator. For example, I have worked for a non-profit organization for the past 2 years and many people who work there including myself took a pay cut to do so. However we figured out that we were saving MONEY by paying no fees for insurance or short-term disability and by receiving sick time and personal time that many employers no longer give. We also get paid for more holidays than any other health care employer in the area and hardly ever work on the weekend, again unlike a health care facility. Employees in my department also have a lot of autonomy and flexibility with schedules with no one micro-managing our time. Time off and decreased cost to employees for insurance all boils down to what? Money. When management announced last year that no one would get above a 2 percent raise no matter how well an employee performed and that we were going to have to pay for our health insurance, we saw many people leave in both administrative support and clinical areas. My boss and I have noticed a sharp decline in employee morale in our division and throughout the organization. Here in 2008 most people are hesitant to leave a job that seems to be secure even if the salary level is not what they desire.

I have started a home based business in wellness in 2007 for two reasons: One, I see many conditions in America's health which could be prevented or aided and health and wellness is one of my greatest passions. Two, I want and need more income so I can work for and contribute to the wonderful organization that employs me without financial stress. I figured out that if I do the minimum required to build a business, I would give myself a $6000 per year raise and my raise was one sixth of that for 2007. Colleagues I have spoken with express that they love their job, they just don't make enough money at it and don't want to leave but may have to in order to feed their family and keep their home. Recognition and pats on the back are necessary but ultimately, money is the best motivator for an employee in the form of bonuses, raises or time off. People simply do not want to put in superior effort unless they are receiving superior rewards.

My previous employer required me to work over 40 hours very rarely, but when a colleague was on vacation or sick and I did it for a week or so, I go paid overtime. Since I was working to get out of debt and purchase my first home that money was appreciated! If they had only praised me for putting in extra hours I would not have repeated that action several times and would have resented my employer. One time I received an award of tickets to an Indianapolis Colts Monday night game and let's face it, even that boils down to money. I would never have spent the $150 to buy those tickets and since I'm a big fan, that was a great motivator for doing a crazy schedule for 10 days. Money is energy and everybody wants and needs more energy even if you have a lot, let's face it.

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