If your enterprise is situated in the retail sector, you’ll be aware that almost all your employees (95%) are paid hourly. What’s more, your workforce is diverse, employing people from many different demographics, from high school students to seniors supplementing their pension incomes. So, how do you make everybody happy? How do you inspire your workers with incentive programs for the hourly workforce?
Here are some basic guidelines.
Your best bet with lower cost incentives is to include everyone. Even if you’re a Main Street mom and pop store, you can invite your employees to celebrate a great month by hosting a pizza party, or providing them with gift cards, as a way of thanking them.
A monthly birthday celebration for all employees having a birthday in the same month is another good way to show your appreciation.
Considerate gestures like providing snacks and coffee in the break room is another winning strategy. Instead of giving them one small break at noon, give them a little more time and some great snacks. Instead of going out to buy a bite, they can relax on-site and feel catered to by their employer.
Plan events that will interest your staff. Invite a speaker to talk about the finer points of customer service or display strategies that boost sales at the point of purchase.
Plan meals out together, “just because”. These can be tied to a seasonal event, or just be a picnic in a local park with games for employee families, burgers, and hot dogs. It doesn’t need to be fancy to build team spirit and loyalty.
Get your employees involved in your sponsorship efforts. Give them discounted tickets to local events like hockey games and new film releases. Little gifts like this encourage your employees and show them that you’re thinking of them.
If you can manage this one, bonuses and other fiscal perks never go out of style. Just remember - be fair. Include your entire staff and base your incentives on goals that aren’t too far out or unattainable. And tie those goals to company growth, so they have a purpose that is easily discernable.
To be avoided: favoritism. That’s actionable under the law and awarding bonuses and other money-based rewards this way can land you in hot water.
Base bonuses on yearly, average salary, or choose things like years of service to award bonuses, or sales figures for the year. Also, time off with pay is a highly prized incentive your employees will love you for.
Incentive programs for the hourly workforce don’t need to be unduly complicated. They just need to do their job. Think carefully about who your employees are. A best practice in this regard is to survey them to find out what they’d like to see.
Incentive Travel Group is your source for all kinds of incentive and rewards programs. For over 20 years, we’ve been raising the bar in the sector. Contact us to get the incentives edge.
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