Christmas incentives – ‘Tis the season to reward

Rewarding staff at Christmas and the importance of motivating employees during the festive season.

Reward and recognition practices are a powerful way of motivating staff, and the festive season offers the perfect opportunity for employers to demonstrate their gratitude for the previous year’s work. However, recent research found that 87%of organisations without a formal recognition scheme in place don’t reward their employees at Christmas.

A 2013 study by Edenred found that one-third (35%) of employees have never received a Christmas reward from their employer. Its Saying thank you at Christmas 2013 survey also found that only 30% of respondents received a Christmas reward in 2012, and 65% did not expect to receive a reward from their employer.

The benefits of rewarding staff are well documented, with greater engagement, increased motivation and higher retention just a few of the benefits that employers can gain, according to Sodexo Benefits and Rewards Services, a leading provider of employee benefits and rewards services. However, in order to maximise these benefits, it is vital to ensure that rewards are both relevant and desirable to each individual, which can be difficult when modern workforces are so diverse in age, gender and interests.

Iain McMath, CEO of Sodexo Benefits and Rewards Services, said: “Dedicating a small amount of resource to thank your employees and show appreciation for their work brings enormous benefits to a business. Not only does this motivate individuals and boost team morale, it is also a chance for senior management to connect with all levels of their workforce. As there is a continual move towards flexible working and part time contracts, the opportunity to reach out to all staff equally and draw people together is one that can only benefit a business.”

Execs… if you are currently reading this – take note!