More, more, more

Rewarding staff for their achievements is part of good staff management, and if you constantly expect more from your people, you should be prepared to demonstrate that their commitment is valued. However, it's important that a reward scheme is structured to offer specified rewards for defined achievements. Otherwise, staff begin to see the rewards as a right, rather than a benefit that they have to earn."

So how can a company respond if their workforce expects to be given more and more incentives without having to earn them?

incentive scheme that's already running. But this needs to be done in a planned way and communication is key," comments Chris.

A good idea to set the ball rolling on redesigning the incentive scheme is to consult with employees on the scheme that's already in place. Choose a sample group and ask them what kind of incentives they would most like in the future and whether they'd prefer little and often or saving points towards a bigger reward.

"Even if you only take part of the employees' feedback into account when redesigning the reward scheme," Chris explains, "you'll be seen to be involving them, which will help to prevent a backlash when the change happens."

Another important factor in communicating the change of incentive scheme is to provide enough warning that the existing scheme is being phased out and a new one introduced.

Chris continues: "Simply sending an email a couple of weeks before is not enough because there will always be someone who claims not to have seen it. Ideally, the message that the scheme is changing should be issued three times before clear communication of the new scheme begins."

When it comes to the new scheme, the key is to make it clear that the incentives are offered to recognise achievement, with a well defined criteria and a no exceptions, no 'nearly there' rewards policy.

"It may take a period of adjustment," adds Chris, "but a fair and transparent rewards system will win the support of most employees. And if you want to help embed the rewards-for-achievement culture into the workforce, try introducing a league table ? there's nothing like a bit of healthy competition to motivate your team."