Employee Incentives

[michael79]

I am part of an employee satisfaction team and we are coming up with something monthly we can do to help let our employees know how appreciated they are. Some ideas we had were scratch off lotto tickets attached to pay checks, raffling off turkeys and hams at the holidays, pizza parties, doughnuts, etc.

I think we should get them a gift that might last a while like a scrub jacket. We mandate their scrub color so I think it would be nice to get them all matching print scrub jackets. What do you think? WOuld you like that? What are some ideas you have for incentives that would make you feel appreciated?

[RN1989]

The scrub jackets are ok as long as you can get them in EVERYONE's size. There is nothing worse than when the facility is buying scrubs for the staff and chooses to go with the cheapest company that doesn't have small enough or big enough scrubs for everyone.

I would send a survey around to the staff and get a feel for what THEY would like and enjoy. That way, you aren't getting something they all think is cheesy, and if some think it is cheesy, then at least you know you picked stuff that the staff said that they wanted.

[Hands and Heart]

The scrub jacket idea is cool but I'd suggest something in a solid color so that male nurses don't get left out with foofoo prints. Maybe a sweater/sweatshirt jacket. Maybe even a light outerwear jacket with hospital logo. Coffee shop gift cards. Sandwich shop gift card. Because I've been trying to eat healthy, I would suggest not aiding bad eating habits with pizza and doughnuts. Movie tickets/free movie rentals. Just some things I could think of.

[TopazLover, BSN, RN]

I like the idea of scrub jackets. Residents love to see the great variety of bright clothing and usually make positive comments to staff. Most of us respond to thank you from the people we care for.

Almost every group working in LTC has a week or month to celebrate their contribution. We all know about nurses, secretaries, bosses, and perhaps CNAs. There are times set aside for Social Workers, environmental services, dietary. Look around the net and you will probably find more.

Have a party for the specific group and have the boss say nice things about the group. Invite patients/residents to say nice things about the group. Perhaps someone in that group can say a little about how they contribute to the whole.

Last, make sure there are healthy snacks that are attractive to eat.

I have seen little contests work wonders. Christmas have each group or small groups of staff make recycled ornaments. Nurses usually have great imaginations about what to do with tops from vials, needle covers, medicine cups, etc. Dietary is great with egg cartons. Working together on a project is fun.

We had some great cook offs. Use of chocolate, chili, appetizers, etc. Don't make it so that it is a burden financially. That is a real killer. Everybody can eat the goodies and save having to buy or bring a meal.

Glad you are on the committee to improve morale. It seems we all need that boost once in a while.

[medsurgrnco, BSN, RN]

Don't forget to thank them for their hard work regularly. Many nurses don't wear scrub jackets, and I personally don't like items with company logos. And I don't like donuts or other sweet items. How about a monthly buffet - sometimes pizza, sometimes a mexican theme, etc. Don't forget to have healthier items available.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

How about hiring one extra nurse to help cover the patient load, so people can go pee and eat a sandwich.

[PICNICRN, BSN, RN]

I like all of your ideas so far- it would be great to get a holiday ham! One thing my hospital does is give out massage coupons(we have in house massage/spa for family and employees) and coffee cart coupons- those are always nice. But the BEST thing I have ever gotten was a "retention bonus" right before the Holidays in the form of an American Express gift card for $300 bucks- pretty nice gesture, I thought.

[Turd.Ferguson]

Beer.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Always a good choice.

[rhondaa83]

How about hiring one extra nurse to help cover the patient load, so people can go pee and eat a sandwich.

LOL we are talking realistically (sp?) That would be my ideal gift, plus a great big thank you for busting your @$$ everyday Rhonda would be nice to hear. Some times it becomes kind of a popularity game, if you pick certain people. It would be nice for other people to be recognized, for instance a cena who works for me is kind of slow, but my goodness, she is so thorough, I never doubt that the patient has had complete cares, because she cares about what she does, but rarely gets recognized (except from me) because she is slow. So I guess what I am saying is that it is nice to recognize people, but do not do it :bow:in mass production, recognize one person at a time and really mean it.

[tbanurse]

What we would do for our team members at Christmas is give away gifts (wine, lotions, movie tickets, fun stuff), but included as a gift option was a "paid day off." These were, by far, the most appreciated gifts that anyone received! We did it much like a raffle, drawing names and handing out the gifts--nobody was sure who would get the day off, but they were on pins 'n needles waiting! There were rules attached to the paid day off, including department head's approval, must be pre-scheduled, used within 30 days. By far the biggest hit of any "employee appreciation" gift!!

[Babs0512]

Day off with pay?

Thank you you've worked hard today, instead of only pointing out negatives

Thank you cards for management to give out AND staff to give to each other. Monthly drawing to those who've gotten 3 thank you cards for a gift cert from Starbucks, or lunch at local eatery.

Thank you cards giving out for any reason: ie: Thanks for your help with my "Code Brown" - "Thanks for picking up that extra shift" - or "Noticed you cleaned the breakroom, thanks so much" or whatever.