Chocolate or a holiday? What's best for your staff? [BT broadband office]

Chocolate or a holiday? What's best for your staff?

Posted 21 January 2008 at 2:23PM by Hannah Gilchrist in Light relief

After research by the British Heart Foundation found that many children no longer view chocolate as a treat, but a part of everyday life, can the same be said for your employees?

Finding a way to motivate and reward your staff is a difficult task for any employer, but finding what is considered a 'treat' in the workplace can have a big impact on staff morale.

So what is considered a special treat these days? If you've worked hard in the office do you retire home to:

a) a large piece of chocolate,
b) a large glass of wine, or
c) your diary to book your next day off?

Offering days off may not be top of your business agenda, but organising casual Fridays or staff parties can increase motivation and help your employees bond.

For more information about employee motivation visit: www.accel-team.com

And for all chocolate lovers, check out The Chocolate Truffle Company - a great looking Tradespace!

Tags: british heart foundation, bt, bt broadband office, bt tradespace, chocolate, chocolate truffle company

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Comments

1. At January 21, 2008 2:56 PM, Ade wrote:

For certain, some sort of incentive scheme helps employee morale and motivation. A company I used to work for, offered two extra days off if you did not call in sick during the year. For some reason or the other, this was stopped, now employees make sure they just call in sick anyway, as a way of taking days off they believe should be theirs. If the company had stuck to their scheme, they could have controlled the allocation of these days, rather than have days when a considerable number the work force do not turn up!

2. At January 22, 2008 10:32 AM, Holly Newbury wrote:

Surely the best way to 'bond' is to give your employees the following:
Decent work conditions
Decent wages
Adequate holidays (where your boss does not begrudge giving them)
And simply being pleasant and genuine to their staff - like 'talking' to them!

Easy when you think about it!

3. At January 22, 2008 1:02 PM, David Wealleans wrote:

Both your previous respondents make good points and they both reinforce the fact (proven vy research) that you CAN'T motivate staff. All you do is make mistakes that de-motivate them, such as taking away priveleges, treating them badly, not communicating with them etc.

4. At January 22, 2008 1:15 PM, Nicola McBlane wrote:

Some rather radical suggestions there Holly - at least by the standards of various companies I've worked at over the years.

Arranging holidays in particular can be a pain - when both you and your partner work trying to arrange for your holiday at the same time can be a nightmare - and yet really - it's not an unreasonable thing to want.

Talking to staff - hah! I've had managers who've not said one word to me in over a week - what's wrong with a quick Good Morning when they see you etc. - it really does make a little difference to see the effort being made.

Staff morale is important for productivity - and too often managers seem confused why their staff hate the place so much. Maybe if they talked to them more they'd find out.

5. At January 22, 2008 3:50 PM, Pasty Muncher wrote:

I'd be pleased to be allowed to work from home and be provided with cheap broadband and the occasional hamper from Fortnums - golly they're luck I work for them.

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