Every employee wants to hear “good job” from their supervisors. While it doesn’t have to be the employee-of-the-month plaque, a bonus or a raise, rewarding employees should be on the top of your to-do list.
If you’re interesting in getting creative with rewards, here are five smart tips to ensure your team knows they are doing a great job:
1. Keep employees involved
In some businesses, a disconnect can form between upper management and the rest of the staff. One of the biggest rifts forms over communication – there may not be enough talking between the various levels. If you want to truly reward your employees, make sure they stay involved with the day-to-day operations of your bank branch. Hold regular meetings, send out frequent emails and loop everyone in on major decisions.
2. Reward the whole team
When someone does something great at your bank, the entire team should feel that win. In fact, your rewards program should have a team-based focus. While you want to highlight one person’s accomplishments, their entire department can reap the reward. This will increase morale and build unity among your staff. Not only that, but they’ll also be more motivated to work hard knowing a team-wide benefit is coming their way.
3. Be more flexible
One of the biggest gripes employees have with their jobs is their hours. Few people actually want to be at work, and oftentimes, personal commitments get in the way. You can truly reward your staff by being more flexible with hours. For example, offer more leeway during the schedule-making process, and make sure everyone has the ability to handle doctor’s appointments or other personal or family issues. A little bit of flexibility can go a long way.
4. Spice up the work day
Work doesn’t have to be bland and boring, even at a bank. There are a number of ways you can have a little fun on the job. For example, you can relax the dress code once per week. You could also throw a monthly party or create a team-building exercise, like bringing in a family photo and sharing. Work can get monotonous, and anything you do to change that can be seen as a reward.
5. Improve your operations
Employee appreciation can also take the form of streamlined and improved operations. In some cases, your bank could have outdated systems and tools that actually make employees’ lives more difficult. You can change that. For example, technology can facilitate the on-the-job experience. Bringing in the right tools can streamline operations and save your employees time and energy during the day.
Overall, employee rewards don’t always have to take the form of money. Instead, think outside the box and identify ways in your bank to help your staff do their jobs, balance their personal and professional lives and have fun while doing so.