Is money the only rescue for unhappy employees

What’s your strategy for keeping employees other than money?

Your Rant: Given the economy, money is very tight. So I can’t just throw cash at my people to keep them. Is there anything that I can do that doesn’t involve wads of cash to keep people on board? 

911 Repair,

Over the years we’ve developed all kinds of bribes, I mean rewards, to keep my daughter playing her flute. American Girl dolls, toys and cash were just some of her bounty. Recently we switched teachers and you know what, suddenly no bribes are required. Why? Flute lessons have become fun. Hallie’s started doing “improv” at her lessons and recently she played along with Salsa music and spontaneously started dancing. Her teacher, Shelley, took her flute and Hallie started doing the limbo underneath it.

Far too often companies see money as the only answer to motivating employees. But my daughter reminded me that there is a lot more that motivates people beyond just cash. I’ve listed some non-cash ways to light a fire under your people. For more, check out “Intrinsic Motivation at Work” by Kenneth Thomas (Berrett Koehler, 2000).

Do you provide a sense of meaningfulness? Far too many people feel like Sisyphus at work. They roll the rock up the hill all day and at day’s end it rolls back over them. Then the next day they start all over again. We need to break this cycle by reminding people about everyone who benefits from their efforts. Don’t take this for granted, occasionally bring in your customers so your people can hear first hand why their work matters.

Do you offer some control over how the job gets done? I once worked in an office once where you couldn’t even have a glass of water on your desk. People were always complaining about the silly policies and regulations. My general rule, only make rules when it directly affects people’s ability to do their jobs, anywhere else give them room to sort it out on their own.

Do they feel a sense of competence? Remember when they picked teams in grade school? Whether you were picked first, or last, you can probably relate to that sinking feeling that those last few kids picked felt. It’s no different at work. Anything that can be done to help people feel a sense of self-worth will boost their morale. Even better-give them the tools like customer feedback forms or stats so they can monitor their own performance.

Do people feel like they’re treated fairly? In a recent Working Wounded poll, 40% of the people responding said that being treated fairly was the most important thing to them at work. Do everything that you can to make people feel like they’re getting a fair shake and your people will respond.

Give your team the chance to feel intrinsic rewards at work and you won’t be doing the limbo trying to bring in new staff, your people will look forward to coming to work.

Workplace911 Pulse:

Which statement is most true for you?

• Salary doesn’t even make my top five concerns at work, 2%
• Cash is king, 28.7%
• Money matters, but so does respect, opportunities, etc., 34.5%
• I’m more concerned about the whole package (salary, benefits, etc.), 34.6%

User Generated

Too many employees overlook the opportunity to learn at work. I think thing strategy for motivating peoat is the most important thing to focus on. I try to find interesting committees and task forces, worthwhile training programs and interesting metaphors. And when most of my peers shy away from a tough assignment, I volunteer for it. Work is all about adding to your skills and expertise. So the number one thing that I look for in a boss is someone who cares about me and my career. Sorry to say, they are few and far between