Incentive for aides

I want to thank all of you for your input. You have given me alot to use. Love the thank you board, gift cards, etc... I am going to use quite a few of these ideas. I am going to also propose the offer to my Administrator that we start "STOP YOU'RE GETTING A TICKET" program that for every week they work as scheduled and are on time you get a ticket with your name into a drawing for $50 drawn in the beginning of the following month. Then your name continues on for $100 every 3 months and at the Christmas party we could draw from those name for $500. The total cost to the corporation would be $1500 a year...You get extra ticket for going above and beyond, working short, working extra when needed....I am hoping they see the $1500 as a very cheap way to show the aides how important they are! Since I took the position as DON I have tried hard to fight for my aides(I was an aide for many years). They deserve it!! I am hoping by rewarding those who care, the ones who don't will either step up or get out!

That's not their decision. I am sure that most workers in any field feel that way-who wants dead weight?? Unfortunately we have guidelines as to minimum staffing even if some of them are dead weight.
Obviously the trick is to hire productive workers who are eager and able to do the work.
our job is to train them properly. Like any gardener knows you have to weed and pluck the brown leaves if you want a successful garden .
I wish I could clone the ones who do. I am hoping by rewarding the ones who love their job the others will weed themselves out!

I try to use employee evaluations to correct the behaviors that are unproductive and motivate the outstanding employees into becoming teachers and role models for the others. I often tell my best CNA how others should follow his lead in x , y, or z . I even say that he is worth more than just his salary. I wish CNA's were reimbursed what they are worth- almost like a salesman on commission!! But the reality is....