Workplace awards and celebrations
Much has been written about the generation of kids who have grown up on “excessive” praise.
Now, these kids are in their twenties, and, in the workplace, and, some are craving the same kinds of compliments from their bosses who aren’t used to complimenting in this way.
According to this article at CareerJournal.com, some corporations are hiring consultants to teach them how to give out the praise that many of today’s young adults are used to receiving:
Employers are dishing out kudos to workers for little more than showing up. Corporations including Lands’ End and Bank of America are hiring consultants to teach managers how to compliment employees using email, prize packages and public displays of appreciation. The 1,000-employee Scooter Store Inc., a power-wheelchair and scooter firm in New Braunfels, Texas, has a staff “celebrations assistant” whose job it is to throw confetti — 25 pounds a week — at employees.
Though the rest of the article is about the need for positive feedback, the part about the “celebrations” struck me.
I may be exposing myself as a curmudgeon, but, the practice of excessive celebrations, and, “awards” at work annoys me to no end.
I’m not talking about an employee banquet, picnic, or, a meaningful annual award, I’m talking about the day to day “spirit stick” and balloon awards.
I enjoy deserved compliments as much as the next person, but, these juvenile types of things can just be downright embarrassing at times. To me, there’s a fine line between motivation and and condescension.
When I was in management, I consciously tried to praise people where appropriate, but, I had a really hard time with the gimmicky programs. I just felt like they were an insult to employees’ intelligence.
An upbeat and fun atmosphere at work is one thing, but, giving out the same “awards” that my 5 year old gets at preschool is another thing.
Tags: Career and Kids, employee-awards, employee-celebrationsRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Work Environment
8 opinions for Workplace awards and celebrations
Morag
Apr 23, 2007 at 9:32 am
I know what you mean. Having worked at sleepaway camps for years, both as a counselor and then as an administrator, the value of honest and simple compliments and praise is immeasurable. My husband and I, both camp people, call it “camp sense,” that it’s not hard to be honest and praise someone’s effort without resorting to a balloon or a stick or some such goofy thing. But then, most corporations aren’t run with the ability to allow people to say, “Hey, nice job on that, yo.” The whole gimmick thing is tiresome.
Selfmademom
Apr 23, 2007 at 9:38 am
Great post. This hits home for me because I basically do this for a living- that is, consult companies on their employee communications programs. The thing about praise, recognition and reward is that it has to fit the culture and environment of the workplace. Unfortunately, some cultures are gimmicky so that works. Some people like that stuff. You just have to customize it for your workforce. Now if someone threw confetti at me at work, I’d be downright pissed. And they’d have to pick the pieces out of my hair.
Gayle
Apr 24, 2007 at 6:12 am
This tells me that, more and more, we’re raising young people who expect a reward just because they were born! As the mom of a teenager who’ll be working this summer, this type of thing really bugs me. If my daughter is going to expect praise just for showing up to work on time, I’ll probably set her straight before her boss. Praise for doing the basic requirements of the job is ridiculous. Why should you aspire to do better if you are getting rewarded for the lowest standards?
Jill
Apr 24, 2007 at 7:15 am
I agree that excessive compliments are juvenille. When are these young adults going to learn the reality of the work world… that you don’t always get praised, even you do the best job in the world? That certain table stakes are expected of you as an adult and you should expect anything in return for fulfilling these basics? When I was a manager of young people, the sense of entitlement simply baffled me, and this kind of behavior only seems to reinforce it.
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Apr 29, 2007 at 3:52 pm
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Nana
Apr 30, 2007 at 1:45 pm
I am so glad to know others share my opinion about this subject! We have a committee whose members plan many events throughout the year for employees - a lot of these events occur during normal working hours. And this committee spends many work hours doing just that - planning entertainment for the employees! It seems that people expect to be entertained at work as well as draw a paycheck. I’ve been working for 30+ years and this has only become so (in our company, anyway) the past few years. What became of giving 8 hours to the company at the job you were hired to do and going home? Personally, I don’t want to or need to socialize with my fellow co-workers. I do have a life and other people to spend my time with outside this company and I certainly don’t need to be entertained during work hours. I have plenty of work to keep me busy and it just puts me behind if I have to stop to attend a social function during working hours.
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May 4, 2007 at 6:42 am
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Jun 29, 2007 at 6:31 am
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