According to a recent survey, employees do not expect end-of-year rewards from their employers this year. Perhaps because of those expectations, most respondents indicated they would be highly appreciative of even small gifts if their employers did provide them.
Of those surveyed, 81 percent stated rewards at the end of the year should not be expected but are nice to have. Nearly 70 percent indicated they do not expect holiday incentives this year. Some workers believed their employers did not appreciate them, while others acknowledged lower company profits, missed quotas and similar justifications.
"Employees are not expecting rewards this year, but if they received one it would clearly foster positive attitudes and behavior that could help many companies compete in this tough economy," said the research firm's president.
According to the survey, 81 percent of employees would feel appreciated, loyal to their company or motivated to work harder if they received a reward. Almost as many noted such an incentive would be a sign their employer was aware and appreciative of their hard work.
These results indicate low employee expectations are partly based on economic constraints, but in other cases may result from a disconnect between employers and their workers. Even if rewards are not the measure of choice, employers may wish to pursue other means of increasing employee involvement.
