
Rewards are positive outcomes that are earned as a result of an employee's performance. They are used to motivate employees and influence their job effort, performance, attendance, retention, and commitment to the organization. There are two types of rewards: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation comes from within the individual, driven by personal interest or enjoyment in the work itself, while extrinsic motivation comes from external factors such as completing a task to avoid negative consequences or receive something positive in return. Extrinsic rewards include pay, time off, recognition, and company advancement, while intrinsic rewards provide a sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction. In some cases, a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic reward systems can be used to motivate employees and create a culture of performance-reward contingencies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Intrinsic or extrinsic |
| Nature | Positive outcome |
| Purpose | Motivate or influence |
| Influencing factors | Job effort, performance, attendance, retention, employee commitment, job satisfaction |
| Basis for distribution | Equality or performance |
| Examples | Monetary (cash, bonuses, stock options, gift cards), non-monetary (time off, recognition, company advancement, company merchandise, invitation to industry conference, increased responsibilities) |
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What You'll Learn

Monetary rewards
However, monetary rewards alone may not be sufficient to drive long-term employee engagement and motivation. This is where non-monetary rewards, such as flexible working hours, professional development opportunities, and recognition, can complement monetary incentives. A well-rounded strategy combines both types of rewards to drive immediate results and foster long-term commitment.
While monetary rewards can be powerful motivators, they may not work for all employees. Some individuals may be more motivated by recognition, career growth, or a sense of connection to their team and the company's culture. Additionally, monetary incentives can create challenges, such as expectation creep, where employees may constantly expect financial rewards, leading to potential disappointment and demotivation if those expectations are not met consistently.
In conclusion, monetary rewards are a valuable tool in an organization's arsenal to recognize and motivate employees. However, they should be used in conjunction with non-monetary incentives to create a comprehensive rewards system that meets the diverse needs and expectations of the workforce.
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Non-monetary rewards
Recognition
Creating a culture of recognition is an excellent way to ensure that employees feel appreciated. This can be done through simple gestures like a public "thank you", awards, shout-outs, or team gatherings. Peer recognition programs can also boost employee relationships, engagement, trust, and productivity.
Time Off
Offering additional days off as rewards for exceptional performance or reaching certain goals is a great incentive. This can include extra days for volunteering, longer lunch breaks, early finishes, or late starts. Many employers have also implemented "Mental Health days" to encourage employees to unplug and focus on their well-being.
Flexible Work Hours and Remote Work
Allowing employees to set their own schedules and offering remote or hybrid work models can improve work-life balance and help employees better focus on their tasks.
Career Development Opportunities
Providing clear career advancement paths and the necessary resources and training to achieve those advancements is a valuable non-monetary reward. This can include mentorship programs, workshops, and learning events that foster professional growth.
Experiential Incentives
Offering unique experiences as rewards, such as tickets to events or adventure activities, can create memorable moments for employees and positively impact their overall experience with the company.
Special Interest Projects
Giving employees the opportunity to work on passion projects that benefit both their professional development and the company can increase engagement and motivation.
It's important to note that the effectiveness of non-monetary rewards can vary among individuals, so assessing employee preferences through surveys, focus groups, or one-on-one conversations is crucial to designing tailored and effective non-monetary reward programs.
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Intrinsic motivation
In contrast to extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation does not depend on external rewards or consequences. Instead, the activity itself is its own reward. Intrinsic motivation can lead to increased creativity and productivity, particularly in education, sports, careers, and personal pursuits. People tend to be more creative when they are intrinsically motivated because they are driven by interest, challenge, and the pursuit of novel ideas.
In the workplace, intrinsic motivation can be fostered by providing employees with a sense of autonomy and purpose. While extrinsic rewards like bonuses or promotions can be effective motivators, they may not always be sufficient to sustain long-term engagement. Combining intrinsic and extrinsic rewards can be beneficial, but it is important to ensure that extrinsic rewards do not detract from the internal satisfaction that drives intrinsic motivation.
Some researchers have argued for a computational approach to understanding intrinsic motivation, particularly in the field of developmental robotics. However, the concept of intrinsic motivation has been challenging to define and discuss from a computational perspective, and there is no unified consensus on its definition in psychology literature.
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Extrinsic motivation
In the workplace, extrinsic motivation can be in the form of compensation, such as pay, time off, recognition, and company advancement. For example, team members may feel inspired to take on more responsibility or produce high-quality work with the promise of a raise or a potential career advancement. Praise from colleagues or supervisors can also serve as an extrinsic motivator, as it helps people feel pride and accomplishment in their work.
While extrinsic motivation can be effective in the short term, it may also lead to employee burnout over time. Additionally, offering excessive rewards can lead to a decrease in motivation, known as the overjustification effect.
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Performance-reward contingencies
Performance-contingent rewards are a type of extrinsic reward, which are granted when a task is completed to avoid negative consequences and receive something positive in return. These rewards are not driven by personal interest or enjoyment in the work itself but are often used because they are appealing to employees. Examples of extrinsic rewards include pay, bonuses, stock options, time off, recognition, company advancement, and free memberships or lunches.
Research has shown that performance-contingent rewards can have both positive and negative effects on employee motivation and creativity. Some studies indicate that these rewards can promote creativity and have a positive influence on autonomous motivation. However, other studies suggest that they may weaken creativity and have a negative influence on controlled motivation. Additionally, extrinsic rewards can lead to employee burnout over time if not used in conjunction with intrinsic rewards.
Managers should consider implementing performance-reward contingencies under a contingent reward leadership style. This involves focusing on enhancing performance management while reinforcing positive behaviours. Leaders who adopt this style select quality employees, empower them to take responsibility for their tasks, and periodically reward them for excellence.
Overall, performance-reward contingencies can be an effective tool for motivating employees and encouraging them to meet their goals. However, it is important to carefully design the reward system to ensure it aligns with the desired behaviour and goals of the organisation. The rewards offered should be of interest to the employees to effectively motivate them.
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Frequently asked questions
Extrinsic rewards are granted when a task is completed to avoid negative consequences and gain something positive in return. Examples include bonuses, profit-sharing, salary raises, stock options, pay, time off, recognition, and company advancement.
Intrinsic rewards are driven by personal interest or enjoyment in the work itself. They are internal to the person and are not dependent on others. An example of an intrinsic reward is the sense of accomplishment one feels after overcoming a challenge.
Extrinsic rewards are beneficial in the short term as they provide additional employee engagement in tasks they might not otherwise participate in. They can also lead to intrinsic motivation and increase employee commitment to the organization.
A monetary reward is a benefit with direct financial value. Examples include cash, bonuses, stock options, or an Amazon gift card.
Positive reinforcement elicits approach responses and creates a rewarding experience. Negative reinforcement elicits withdrawal responses and creates an aversive experience.

























