I think that actual, tangible employee rewards are terrific!  From an employee’s point of view, they really motivate you to do things you might not otherwise do.  I’m a teacher, and I certainly don’t believe you should receive rewards for classroom performance, (as this is so influenced by the section you’re assigned and the level of kids you receive,) but I’ve been greatly motivated by rewards for energy savings, service on committees and even carpooling to work!

We get plenty of employee recognition program as teachers.  Most of it is peer driven, some administratively driven, some very small amount is parent and community driven, but it’s all nice.

Sometimes it goes a little far:  one half hour of our monthly faculty meetings is given to little employee recognition awards, but it’s better than the alternative, I guess.  Actually, all we really need is for our bosses to personally congratulate us, talk us up among the rest of the school once in awhile, back us up when there’s a problem and maybe even write a nice email in First Class once in a blue moon.  That makes our daily efforts seem worthwhile, but to have us go the extra mile to save energy, exercise, decorate or chaperone…well, the tangible stuff is the best way to go.

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