The Baby and the Bathwater

Traditionally cash was used more often than any other award to promote safe work performance.  It was almost always given to workers for not having an accident while on the job.  It was given monthly or quarterly and often at year end as a bonus. It was and is most likely the key reason why the non-reporting of incidents exists within the subject of safety incentives.

Today whenever we consult with a client who uses cash as a safety award we always ask the same question:  “If you had to do it over again would you still use cash?  The answer almost always is “no.” 

Simply put, when safety management requested budgets or when executive management, because of high safety costs, wanted to use an “incentive” for workers to reduce incidents, they didn’t want to spend the money without a return.  Logically, the programs were structured from the back end….no incidents = cash bonus. And when the bonus was high enough, it was only human nature for some to hide injuries because they didn’t want to lose the money.  It was a vicious circle…and was the reason negative feelings about safety incentives still persists.

But don't stop using awards because of the negative feelings toward cash award programs or programs that were poorly designed.  Using non cash positive consequences to reinforce behavior change is a proven valid performance strategy.  It is especially valid in rewarding safe behaviors.  It would be silly to think about a safety supervisor walking around a plant or job site with a pocket full of dollars to recognize safe behaviors.  But there are many ways to use small awards to reinforce behaviors. From our experience, we’ve also learned that it doesn’t have to be much.  An array of company branded merchandise items (caps and tees) or gift cards as low as $5 or $10 are prevalent.  And often, the recognition can be just a simple “Thank You.”

In fact research from the Incentive Federation has uncover exactly that:

A small, positive, immediate consequence has more impact on behavior than a large, future and uncertain one.

By consistently and continuously reinforcing behavior change with small amounts of awards, you will change behavior.

For more information on AwardSafety products or services or other white papers please contact us at awardsafetyinfo@cox.net