Human Resources
Ways to reward valuable UNM employees outlined

By Susan A. Carkeek Associate, Vice President/Director Human Resources

As we face the reality of flat budgets and no salary increases, you may be wondering how to keep morale high in your organization.
When you can’t offer money, how can you show appreciation for your employees’ hard work and dedication to the students, faculty, staff and customers they serve?

Of course, everyone appreciates a raise. It is a common way to recognize a job well done. But many other kinds of rewards are available to managers, and those that cost little or nothing can also demonstrate your appreciation.

When deciding how to reward an employee, find out what he or she would find rewarding. You can use your regular coaching sessions to learn about your employee’s interests and preferences. One employee might be waiting for an opportunity to work on a new project. Another might like to gain supervisory skills, while someone else would prefer tickets to a sporting event.

Rewards with no financial costs: Some employees would appreciate a flexible work schedule. The UNM Manager’s Guide to Alternative Work Arrangements provides guidance on implementing many types of flexible schedules. A new project or committee membership may be rewarding to some employees, while others may appreciate acknowledgement in the form of notes, letters, certificates of appreciation or a mention in regular staff meetings. Or, you could recommend an employee for a feature article in Campus News.

Professional development: This is for those who are motivated by learning new skills or gaining knowledge. Find out if your employees would like to learn a new software package, develop desktop publishing skills or learn to communicate more effectively. Both EOD and Continuing Education offer many valuable work-related courses. Or, consider a job enrichment experience, where an employee can work in a different department while getting hands-on training in a new skill area. Check with other managers on campus for potential job enrichment opportunities. Consider taking on someone else’s employee to learn from one of your staff.

Career Ladders: For many jobs, the Career Ladder program may provide a way to motivate an excellent employee, and it could be structured with a duration that ends in the following fiscal year.

Rewards your budget may be able to cover: Some rewards may be regular department expenditures, such as fees for professional conferences, books, subscriptions to print or online journals, new equipment, office furniture or software.

Develop a department recognition program: The new Staff Recognition and Awards policy will allow departments to use regular funds for both monetary and non-monetary awards if they have established a formal recognition program. Rewards could include monetary awards, time off with pay, and non-monetary awards such as gift items, lunches or dinners, tickets to University events, plaques and trophies and personal enrichment courses from Continuing Education.

These are just a few ideas to consider when you’re looking for ways to recognize and reward your valuable staff.