Everyone loves to be recognized for a job well done. But with money being tight, companies are cutting back anywhere they can. If you’re lucky enough to be running a business where you were able to keep your employees, good for you. However, the people who work for you still need to be acknowledged in some way for hanging in there, even though your annual report has seen better days. Typically a raise or bonus shows an employee how well they’re doing, but as we all know raises are one of those things that go by the wayside first.
So what’s a smart employer to do at raise time? The worst thing you can do is nothing. Ignoring raises only makes employees feel used, unappreciated, and unmotivated. According to Larina Kase, Ph.D., author of The Confident Leader, “Study after study has shown that what motivates employees is not money. Money can make employees unhappy if they’re not sufficiently compensated, but it has not been shown to lead to motivation, satisfaction or performance.”
So instead of ignoring the elephant in the room, be upfront. Sit down with each of your employees as their reviews come due and explain that even though you’d like to hand out raises, this year it’s just not in the cards. Then take your compassion one step further and offer perks instead. Perks are a great way to show your staff that you really are grateful for their support. Even little things mean a lot, such as:
1) Premium Parking
If your employee commutes, a great perk is to offer a premium parking spot right near the entrance of your building. Such spots are usually saved for executives or employees of the month. However, in lieu of a raise you might want to use these spots as a substitute perk. And if there are fees for parking, be a hero and pick up the tab for that as well. Or if your employee takes the bus or train, offer to buy him an annual bus or train pass. It’s still cheaper than increasing an employee’s salary, plus the expense is tax deductible.
2) Late Start/Early Release Days
Let your employee pick a day of the week that he can come in an hour late or leave an hour early over an extended period of time. The most obvious day would be every Friday, however, maybe a different day would be more accommodating due to childcare responsibilities. Or you can offer a few extra paid personal days; for example, the employee’s birthday, anniversary, or their kids’ birthdays. If they want to use these days to bank extra paid sick leave that’s fine, too. They’ll thank you the next time junior gets a cold and can’t go to school.
3) Gym Memberships
Purchase an annual gym membership for those employees who want one. This option doubly works in your favor in that if your staff gets in shape they’re apt to have less sick days. Many big companies already have in-house gyms for their executives. Maybe it’s time the bigwigs gave up their gym memberships in favor of handing them over to their employees as perks.
4) Provide Electronics
If you don’t already provide cells phones or laptops for your staff, doing so can ease the blow of not getting a raise. Purchasing a cell phone and paying the monthly fee is still cheaper than raising an employee’s salary. Ditto on buying him a $500 PC laptop. Again, the added benefit for you is that your employee may even use those items at home to get some extra work done.
5) Gift Certificates
If you’re really strapped for cash gift certificates for massages, dinners, theatre tickets, even the movies show that you’re making an effort to show gratitude. This is definitely your most economical option, but regardless your thoughtfulness will not be lost on your employees. They will appreciate that you at least did something.
Yes, your staff will be disenchanted if you can’t afford to give raises or bonuses this year, but it’s not like they don’t know what’s going on in the world. If, however, you acknowledge your employees with a small reward (to show your appreciation) your efforts will be repaid tenfold with a motivated staff that’s ready to stick with you through thick and thin.
Do you have a good idea for an employee incentive? Share it with us. We’re always looking for alternative ways to make the great American business perk more rewarding and meaningful.
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Whoever said, “Do what you love and the money will come,” probably didn’t have a family to support or kids to get through college during one of the worst economic downturns in history. Hey, we’re all for being happy at work, but since jobs have dried up faster than my contact lenses on a windy day, some people are forced to stay in less-than-fulfilling posts until the economy decides to do an about-face.
That’s not to say you have to rot in cubicle hell until the employment fairy comes along and raps you between the eyes with her magic stapler. Self-pity and passive attitudes seldom get you where you want to be. So to help you make it through your lackluster day without the help of meds or a three-martini lunch (both of which can be expensive, by the way), we offer six ideas to jumpstart your brain into thinking up new and creative ways to stay motivated in a job that doesn’t thrill you.
1. Focus on the Positives
Yeah, I know it sounds cliché, but you have to avoid getting sucked into a negative vortex. When you don’t like your job, it’s easy to pick it apart until there’s nothing left but a carcass of meaningless tasks. Not only does this not serve your emotional well-being, it turns you into the biggest workplace ass this side of Judas.
Make a list of all the things you do at work. Find the top three you enjoy most (or dislike the least) and focus on those. If possible, makes those your priorities and see if you can somehow either limit or even get rid of (delegate?) the tasks you truly despise. If you can’t think of even one job responsibility you like then…
2. Create New Tasks for Yourself
If you really dislike whatever it is you do at work, then figure out what you CAN do that sparks your interest. Go to your boss and propose you change your duties to include new and interesting projects. Be careful, however, about taking on more than you can handle. If your new duties are too time-consuming, then you also need to convince your boss to take something off your plate. Prepare your case ahead of time, giving good reasons (usually related to saving money) why you should get your way.
If your boss won’t budge and you’re still stuck without an emotional life raft, then…
3. Go Back to School
If you can’t be mentally stimulated at work, then give your brain a workout at school. There are so many choices now for night classes, college online, trade schools, etc., you’d be hard press NOT to find an educational program that fits your desire, schedule and budget. Plus, going back to school is a great way to network so when you do get that new degree or credential, you’ve conveniently met a lot of people who can help you find work.
And speaking of switching careers, going back to school doesn’t mean you have to leave your company to find a new job. Switching departments is also an option, so you might want to…
4. Get to Know New People at Work
If you work in accounting, for example, but you’d like to try your hand at marketing, then go schmooze with the fun kids in the marketing department. Getting to know people in other departments gives you insight into new jobs available within your company. Ask your new friends what it takes to break into a new department and work toward that (by possibly going back to school). NOW you have a goal that really gives you something to look forward to.
And if you STILL can’t find anything at work that lights your fire, then…
5. Get Involved with a Nonprofit or Charity
Nothing feels better than doing a good deed for someone else. Join a nonprofit board. Volunteer regularly for a cause that’s near and dear to your heart. And if your cause is nonpartisan, bring it to work. For example, with the holidays coming, start a Toys-for-Tots drive at the office. Get co-workers to join you in delivering Meals on Wheels. Or simply start an office fundraiser for a nonprofit group that everyone can get behind. This gives you something positive to focus on and makes you forget that your regular job is a snooze.
And if NONE of this helps, then…
6. Work Out as Often as Possible
Exercise produces endorphins, which in turn improves attitude. Join a gym and get on a schedule you can live with. If you’re a weenie about exercise, enlist a buddy to go with you (preferably one that won’t wimp out). If you already exercise then change it up. Join a tennis ladder, a softball team, or a bowling league. Exercise doesn’t mean you have to become a gym rat.
Until the economy gets back on track you may be forced to stay in a job you find so dull you worry your brain might turn to pudding. If this is the case, figure out your own ways to stay interested. Necessity was not only the mother of invention she was also the second cousin to ingenuity – a branch quite often overlooked on the (career) family tree.
So what are your secrets to staying interested in less-than-thrilling jobs? Tell us in the comments below!
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