Start an Employee of the Month programme and give the productivity levels in your office a boost. With plenty of benefits to implementing this rewards programme, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular with leading organisations.

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What is an Employee of the Month programme?

Employee of the Month is a popular rewards programme that businesses use to promote productivity in the workplace. This award acknowledges staff members who deliver an outstanding performance in all aspects of their job. Both the quality of their work and their attitude is considered when making a decision. This reward is typically handed out on a monthly basis.

Why is an Employee of the Month programme important?

Show your staff that you appreciate them with an Employee of the Month programme. This rewards programme helps to give the morale in your office a boost. It can also help to improve the quality of the work that is produced and the efficiency with which tasks are completed. Employees will have a better idea of how well they are performing and get inspired by the achievements of their colleagues through this programme. An Employee of the Month programme can encourage loyalty amongst staff members and decrease the company’s staff turnover rate. You’ll also improve the level of engagement in the office by acknowledging the achievements of your staff.

How to set up an Employee of the Month programme

Setting up a successful Employee of the Month programme can be more challenging than you expect. You’ll need to ensure that the programme is a good match for your company and be committed to putting this programme in place. A badly organised programme could have a negative effect on the performance of your staff. Here are a few tips to get you started:

- Cultivate the right work environment

Before you rush into giving out your first Employee of the Month award, you’ll need to cultivate a culture of gratitude in your organisation. Encourage employees to celebrate the success of their colleagues and cultivate a work culture where staff give each other feedback.

- Know what factors make up a successful programme

For Employee of the Month programmes to work, rewards need to be given out on time every month. Employees need to be notified about the programme and informed about how it works so that they understand the process. You can make an announcement at your team meeting and write about it in your company newsletter. The award should be handed out in public in front of the other staff members. Put up a photo of the Employee of the Month on the notice board accompanied by their name so that their achievement is clearly visible.

- Establish the boundaries

Decide on the guidelines that will determine how the programme is carried out. You’ll need to determine whether part-time employees are eligible for the monthly reward or not. The inclusion of new employees is another factor to consider. Clear guidelines help you to achieve transparency so that everyone understands the process.

- Determine the rewards

When you’re deciding what monthly reward to hand out, you’ll need to take the preferences of your employees into account. Some ideas to consider include a day off or a spa voucher. You can also ask your employees for additional suggestions to make them feel appreciated and included.

- Define the criteria

Be specific about the criteria for the award so that staff members know what values and achievements are expected of them. Clearly set out how the Employee of the Month will be chosen. It could be related to the number of sales an employee makes or to the level of innovation that they’ve shown in their work. Great customer service and a good attitude could also be factored into your decision.

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Now that you know how to set up an Employee of the Month programme, you can take the efficiency in your workplace to new heights. Advertise your vacancies on Job Mail and recruit quality staff today.