Employee Motivation

Employee motivation is a key factor within a successful organization or business. The quality of work that people express is often a result of the motivation they possess. Companies have a variety of ways to motivate their employees, as well as to keep them satisfied. Businesses set substantial amounts of goals, and when employees reach those goals, they should be recognized within the company. To know that someone appreciates your exertion is a great feeling.

Happiness in the workplace is very important if a Manager would like to retain their workers. When an employee is discontented, it becomes the Managers responsibility to make the appropriate changes. Motivating employees can be disguised in many different situations. Getting to know your employees on a more personal level can help to keep them happy. An article from Expert Magazine, titled, The Real Reason Employees work; has even gone as far as suggesting to, “pay for the tutoring of an employee’s child for the month.” A depressed employee calls for the help of a caring Manager. Some employees consistently remain motivated, just by knowing that their well being is important to the people above them.

Listening to your employees is crucial. Open ears are very much appreciated when an employee has a suggestion on improving efficiency or effectiveness on a project,

or even if they are trying to tell you how they feel. Being sympathetic to personal problems, and reminding employees to express their feelings assists in the employee’s comfort with their supervisor.

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Listening to your employees is crucial. Open ears are very much appreciated when an employee has a suggestion on improving efficiency or effectiveness on a project,

In addition to developing friendships among employers and employees, it is also important to recognize individuals when they should be applauded for a job well done. This recognition can be arranged in many different forms, including the distribution of rewards. A website known as CorporateRewards.com is an organization that assists in acknowledging good work. The organization is notified by a company that would like to reward an employee, from there they are able to give awards virtually via e-mail, physically by their employer, or delivered by mail. These awards can be used as online gift certificates to over hundreds of stores, or converted into restaurant gift certificates as well.

Getting to know employees on a personal level can help to make them feel as though they are cared for. Rewards are a great way to show your appreciation, but at the same time, it is nice to reward an employee with something that they will enjoy. Designing rewards based on an individual’s personal preference appears to be more thoughtful. To really understand what is important to each employee, it’s essential to get to know each employee well and find out what they think are important rewards.

On a less personal level, some offices might reward their employees in other ways. Variable pay programs such as piece-rate plans, wage incentives, profit sharing,

Bonuses, and gain sharing are all forms of rewards. It is a company’s decision to choose which rewards would suit their employees the best.

The Document Company, Xerox has their own ways of motivating their employees. This list includes, Profit sharing, bonuses, which are given at the end of the year if the company does well, Stock Options, and 401K benefits. An employee at Xerox stated, that employees are given annual performance assessments, and this can help to determine their eligibility at the year’s end in terms of a bonus. If equipment is sold, employees may share the benefits. The company has also discovered that challenging assignments have helped to keep employees motivated to work hard.

Personality tests screen individuals at the start of their hiring, which help to determine what areas of the organization they would work best in. These tests place individuals where they will be content, and their performance is measured from there. If the employee does well, and works to their potential, they will be recognized with the appropriate rewards.

Some Advertising Agencies have their own approach of commending their employees. I spoke with an Account executive that stated her company motivates its employees with extra vacation time and certain bonuses that may be given out at the year’s end. This employee had a title promotion, although she was not given a raise. The assessment that she was given showed that the company appreciated her work performance, but at that time could not offer a pay increase. Under the circumstance the employee felt as though she deserved more, and gave two-weeks notice stating she had

found another job. Many companies have different policies, and some are more concerned than others of their employee’s satisfaction. In this case, an employee that was obviously an asset to the company was disappointed and her feelings were not taken into consideration. When she was finally offered more money, to remain an employee, it had been too late as she had already found what she was looking for elsewhere. This example displays the importance of knowing what an employee needs, and fulfilling those needs before it becomes too late.

Money is not the only thing that can make a person happy in actuality there are many things before money that assist in ones happiness. “While money is important to employees, what tends to motivate them to perform at high levels is the thoughtful, personal kind of recognition that signifies true appreciation for a job well done.”-Expert Magazine

Today, Employers will gain more respect from their employees if they treat them fairly and give them credit where credit is earned. The examples that I have uncovered conclude the need for employee motivation. A Manager must reveal the importance of their employee’s presence within the company. If an employee is praised they will feel as though they are valued within the company. People have a need to belong, if they feel, as though they are part of your business, they will work to fulfill that position.