“A Meaningful Gesture”
by Chris Reinhardt, feedlot specialist
If you haven’t already either (a) given out a year-end bonus or (b) decided that the year-end bonus is a frustrating complete waste of time, here’s something for you to consider.
If you have an overwhelming compulsion to say some kind of heart-felt “Thank you” to your team this year, the three key points to remember are (1) that the intended “Thank you” is perceived by the person receiving the reward, (2) it is something extra and not simply an extension of normal compensation, and (3) there is no risk of the bonus, or lack thereof, becoming a dis-incentive later.
Many organizations have supplied bonuses in the form of a gift card to a local or online retailer. There is certainly value in supplying your employees an opportunity to purchase some useful item that they will enjoy, how likely is it that the item will emotionally be connected to the organization? Another drawback to this approach is the risk that the bonus will be viewed like cash, an extension of normal compensation, and nothing exceptional, not a special “Thank you” from management.
One alternative is a gift card to a nice local restaurant. This can be a very meaningful way that employees can enjoy quality time with family or friends, in a restaurant that might be too expensive to be a regular “hang-out”, making the evening something special and somewhat of an event. The “special-ness” of the event increases the likelihood that the employee will connect the event to the appreciation expressed by you and the organization’s leadership team.
The more “special” the experience, the more likely (1) the employee will perceive the “Thank you”, and (2) there won’t be an annual expectation for extra compensation, meaning that (3) there won’t be hurt feelings if the bonus doesn’t arrive next year.