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The Empuls Glossary

Glossary of Human Resources Management and Employee Benefit Terms

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Monetary rewards

Monetary rewards are one of the most common types of incentives used in employee recognition programs. They are generally used to recognize and reward employees who have reached certain levels of achievement, performance, or productivity. Monetary rewards can be used to recognize an individual's contributions toward the company's goals and objectives.

Monetary rewards are a great way to motivate your employees. They can be used in place of or in addition to non-financial rewards, like trophies and plaques.

What are monetary rewards?

A monetary reward is a specific amount of money given to an employee to complete a task or goal. These rewards can come in the form of bonuses, commissions, or incentives and can be based on performance, merit, or seniority.

Why are monetary rewards important? 

Here is why giving monetary rewards to employees is important:

  • Motivate employees to demonstrate their loyalty to the company. 
  • Enable people to correct their mistakes, and improve their performance.
  • Encourages them to work hard, and even to take risks that might otherwise be avoided.
  • Make workers more productive, because they're motivated to do more than just survive.
  • Create a positive atmosphere at work and make employees more likely to go the extra mile for the company.
  • Are better than other forms of positive reinforcement in motivating employees, because money provides a clear target for attention and achievement.
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What are the different types of monetary rewards? 

The major types of monetary rewards used are:

  • Performance-based pay
  • Digital gift cards
  • Bonuses
  • Pay raise
  • Commissions
  • Gainsharing plans
  • Employee stock options

What is the difference between monetary and non monetary rewards? 

Monetary rewards

  • Monetary rewards are defined as rewards that involve direct money to the employee. 
  • A monetary reward might come in the form of a cash bonus, or salary hike or it could be in the form of stock options. 

Non-monetary rewards

  • Non-monetary rewards are rewards that don't involve direct money to the employee. 
  • Non-monetary rewards can be service discounts, reward points, flexible working hours, professional development opportunities, etc.

What are the advantages of monetary rewards? 

The benefits of using monetary rewards are highlighted below:

  • They are simple to administer.
  • They motivate employees to do their best work every day.
  • They help increase employee engagement when implemented correctly.
  • They help offset pay freezes or salary increases during tough economic times.
  • They keep your employees happy while helping your company stay competitive in the labor market.
  • They encourage innovation because people like doing things that make them feel good about themselves.
  • They can be used to motivate employees of all levels and backgrounds, from entry-level employees with little experience to senior managers who have been in the workforce for decades.

What are the advantages of monetary rewards? 

The benefits of using monetary rewards are highlighted below:

  • They are simple to administer.
  • They motivate employees to do their best work every day.
  • They help increase employee engagement when implemented correctly.
  • They help offset pay freezes or salary increases during tough economic times.
  • They keep your employees happy while helping your company stay competitive in the labor market.
  • They encourage innovation because people like doing things that make them feel good about themselves.
  • They can be used to motivate employees of all levels and backgrounds, from entry-level employees with little experience to senior managers who have been in the workforce for decades.

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What are the disadvantages of monetary rewards? 

The disadvantages of monetary rewards are:

  • They create difficulties in sustaining a high level of motivation. 
  • If employees earn a bonus, they may expect similar rewards in the future. That expectation may not be realistic, leading to disappointment and demotivation if managers don't deliver on their promises.
  • They won't motivate employees who aren't motivated by money because some are more motivated by recognition than by money. 
  • They can create unhealthy competition between coworkers or team members. 
  • They can create stress or pressure among employees and make them feel less connected with each other.
  • They may reduce intrinsic motivation if employees see them as being tied too closely to performance outcomes or if they need to understand how their efforts contribute to company success.

What is the impact of monetary rewards on employee performance? 

Monetary rewards have proved to be the best kind of positive reinforcement that motivates employees to give their best in all circumstances. Money is considered one of the strongest motivators; therefore, it can change a person’s attitude in the workplace and bring a positive change in the work environment.

Employees who have a positive attitude towards their job feel committed to the organization and get engaged.

Employee pulse surveys:

These are short surveys that can be sent frequently to check what your employees think about an issue quickly. The survey comprises fewer questions (not more than 10) to get the information quickly. These can be administered at regular intervals (monthly/weekly/quarterly).

One-on-one meetings:

Having periodic, hour-long meetings for an informal chat with every team member is an excellent way to get a true sense of what’s happening with them. Since it is a safe and private conversation, it helps you get better details about an issue.

eNPS:

eNPS (employee Net Promoter score) is one of the simplest yet effective ways to assess your employee's opinion of your company. It includes one intriguing question that gauges loyalty. An example of eNPS questions include: How likely are you to recommend our company to others? Employees respond to the eNPS survey on a scale of 1-10, where 10 denotes they are ‘highly likely’ to recommend the company and 1 signifies they are ‘highly unlikely’ to recommend it.

Based on the responses, employees can be placed in three different categories:

  • Promoters
    Employees who have responded positively or agreed.
  • Detractors
    Employees who have reacted negatively or disagreed.
  • Passives
    Employees who have stayed neutral with their responses.

What are the examples of monetary rewards for employees? 

Some of the most common monetary rewards examples and ideas for employees are:

  • Pay and allowances
  • Bonuses
  • Commissions
  • Merit pay
  • Profit sharing
  • Stock options
  • Retirement benefits

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