Workplace Incentives That Actually Work
How do you make employee incentive programs effective? How do you motivate your people to be their best? The benefits of incentive programs — for you and for your employees — are undeniable. Incentive programs boost employee engagement and appreciation, which increase employee retention and productivity. Incentives are also an integrated way to bolster your organization’s culture and values. Let’s dive into 10 ideas for incentive programs that reward your people, build your culture, and boost your bottom line.1. Take a look at your benefits and incentives offerings vs. what people use (and need)
Before making any major decisions about new offerings, take a few minutes to review your current benefits and perks — including what your people actually use. Are you putting budget toward parking passes for a workforce that’s mostly gone remote? Figure out which incentives are underutilized. Survey your people to find out why. And, most importantly, find out what they do use, and what they need more of. Keep these learnings in mind as you move forward. Bonus: Not sure where to start? Use our article Perks, Benefits, and Employee Rewards — What’s the Difference?2. Use incentives and awards to boost wellness benefits
Physical health is a win-win for our mental health and emotional well-being — and your health insurance costs. So use incentives, awards, and recognition to reward employees for participating in your wellness programs. Bonus: Is your workforce newly remote or partially remote? You can still offer fitness challenges, do online group classes, and subsidize workout passes. Your people will feel appreciated, and it boosts their performance.3. Don't just offer incentives — make them easy to use
Thinking about hiring? Good benefits and incentive packages are important for attracting top talent. But they’re even more important for keeping the people you already have. According to SHRM, individuals who like their health benefits are much more likely to stay at their current job. So in addition to offering great benefits and coinciding incentives, make sure people have the flexibility and desire to actually use them. For example: In addition to offering sick days, consider giving “healthy days” for employees to go to preventative healthcare appointments. And help prevent burnout by offering mental health days.4. Build in employee recognition
Bonuses, vacations, and parties are nice. But honestly? You can get a lot of mileage out of just saying thank you. In fact, 81% of employees say they’re motivated to do their best work when their leaders show appreciation.5. Offer rewards and incentives that fit your employees
Want to give great rewards and incentives? Get the best bang for your buck with a custom rewards catalog. So instead of everyone getting the same T-shirt, team members earn reward points to spend on what’s most meaningful to them. What should you offer as rewards? Survey your employees and find out what matters to them. Maybe it’s a company water bottle or hoodie. Or monetary rewards. When you have a catalog that’s flexible, you can add what matters.Manage incentives, growth, and more in one place:
The Benefits of an Employee Experience Platform