You have five employees and $5,000 that you can spend on each of them. How would you allocate it?
That was the intriguing question of the day in a recent Society for Human Resource Management #NextChat. The following is a compilation of some of the Twitter and LinkedIn responses.
[SHRM members-only HR forms: Bonus Award Letter]
—Marcia F. Robinson, SHRM-SCP, HR executive and founder of the Raye Martin Group in the greater Philadelphia area, on Twitter
—Sandip Grovar, managing partner in the HR Consulting Division for Possiblers in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, on Twitter
—Mathew Henry, HR generalist at 5812 Investment Group in Columbus, Ohio, on Twitter
I would have dialogue with each employee and identify with them a certification they would like to achieve. Also, talk with them about a vacation they really want to take and then pay for it for them
—Daniel Hullinger, employee experience supervisor at Comcast Cable in the greater Salt Lake City area, on LinkedIn
Definitely find a way to invest in their future. SHRM certification/membership, tuition, training and certification to support their goals. And definitely throw in a bonus! Especially right now when we could all use some sunshine in our lives!
—Shandi Schuler, office administrator at HiVis Supply in the greater Tampa Bay, Fla., area, on LinkedIn
I would first ask them what they would do if they had 5000 in hand...and then will give it to them to spend on it as a thank you for choosing to work for us.
—Suvidha Hughes, SHRM-SCP, senior manager of people services at EMA and APAC in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, on LinkedIn
Great response!! I love the idea of letting employees choose, because each person may have different needs and dreams. If I'm spending $5,000 on each person, I want it to go to good use, and if one person wants to spend it all on an espresso machine, more power to them! 🤩
—Bailey Ivey, scheduling and staffing manager at Lowe's Cos. in Apex, N.C., responding to Suvidha Hughes on LinkedIn
Spend the 5000 on employees. Could be remodel the break room, coffee maker, etc. Increases value for current and future employees.
—Michael West, SHRM-CP, director of HR at Mckendree Village Inc. in the greater Nashville, Tenn., area, on LinkedIn
I would definitely have a conversation around goals and aspirations! I would take 5k to remodel and improve their work area (based on recommendations and input), I would take another 5k and put it towards improving [knowledge, skills and abilities[GK2] ] through education, certifications, etc., and finally I would give each 3k as a huge KUDOS for maintaining a strong work ethic and positive atmosphere through these trying times...lord knows they might need it; especially if they have been struggling.
—Carla (DeRamus) Allen, HR generalist at Jacobs Space Exploration Group in Huntsville, Ala., on LinkedIn
Then it could be argued that it was spent more in the furtherance of your business, rather than on the employees.
—Deborah Jno Baptiste, associate HR consultant at Get On Board Solutions in St. John's, Antigua, responding to Carla (DeRamus) Allen on LinkedIn
—Paula O'Brien, senior instructional designer at Fresenius Medical Care North America in the greater Nashville, Tenn., area, on Twitter
Recent stories from this series:
#NextChat: How Do You Manage Former Peers?
#NextChat: What Are Resume No-Nos?
#NextChat: How Do You Decide Between Two Candidates of Equal Skill and Experience?