Don’t Like Carrots, Not Afraid Of Sticks (Incentives & Discipline In The Workplace)

Sometimes workers need a little push: a push towards a goal, a push towards improvement or simply…a push off a cliff.

HR and/or the Boss usually have only two options: 1) Incent or 2) Punish.

Both can be effective, provided you fully understand the “carrot” / “stick” dichotomy.

For Incentives To Work:

  • Make sure that it really is a valued motivator (e.g., “most Quarterly sales gets a plunger,” doesn’t cut it).
  • Money is always good, but recognition goes a long way (letting the incented employee park in the boss’ parking spot or making them wear a silly button all day announcing their achievement, will make them stand out in a fun way).
  • Select an incentive that others will covet (what good is a steak dinner to a vegetarian?).
  • Always tell the rest of the group who received what reward. Nothing works better (for the winner and their peers) than public acknowledgment.
  • Make sure that everyone understands, in advance, just what the incentive is and what is necessary to earn it.

  • For Discipline To Work:

  • Make sure that everyone understands expectations and knows when they have deviated from them.
  • Discipline should be prompt (within a day or two after an investigation is completed).
  • Never disciple anyone in the public. The grapevine and humiliation can be more devastating to the employee than the actual punishment.
  • Memorialize all discipline. You will never remember what you did last year and you may need it for future legal proceedings.
  • Discipline should usually be progressive (a first offense should be treated differently than a 3rd). The only exception is a violation so offensive that you must react with full measure (e.g., an employee that hits a customer or steals from you).
  • Today’s Tip: Only the enlightened Employer can properly decide how to serve the “carrots” or throw the “sticks.” Just make sure that each is serving its purpose (it’s hard to throw a carrot and no one likes to eat a stick).

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