D&B Was Not On The List
I recently became eligible for a service award at the company where I work. They used to give plaques for major milestones but just switched to a program where I could select an “award” from an online catalog. Award is in quotes because the quality of the selections is similar to what you might find in a box of Cracker Jacks. Instead of the usual selection of clocks and paperweights the awards the catalog is stocked with super low quality items. The change was announced with great hoopla; but, appears to be yet another very thinly disguised cost cutting measure. They plaques they used to present weren’t fancy; but I’m sure that they cost more to make than the junk that I have to choose from. I know we are all just beasts of burden to them; but they still could do a much better job of pretending to value their employees minions. My career becomes more and more like Dilbert every day. At least I still have a potted plant.
P.S. I know that they don’t put toys in Cracker Jacks anymore; but it’s the best analogy that I could think of, and most visitors are probably old enough to remember the term “came in a Cracker Jack box.”
My father was presented with a watch after twenty-five years service. When he simply slipped it into his pocket, the works manager said, “You don’t seem impressed, Bill.” The old man replied, “If I can’t afford to buy myself while working here for twenty-five years, it’s not been much of a job, has it?”
Alfie: My plan is to NOT have a lot saved when I retire. That way I know I’ve lived well and did all of the things that I wanted to do before I was too old to enjoy them. But, even with that attitude, I wouldn’t have any problem buying the available items. Twenty dollars would buy most if not all of them. The company where California Girl works does the same thing; but, their awards are actually worth owning.
Yeah, companies particularly in that area are going ‘on the cheap’ wherever possible. Spreads like wildfire, and really shows the employees where they stand.
Full Disclosure: I was a field manager far from my former company’s headquarters in Canton/Green. As time went by, my ability to personalize and make achievements rewardable was taken away bit by bit. Started off with pressure to end the parties whether official or unofficial. Then came the “points system” that allowed my staff and I to look through a very slick book full of crap that was severely overpriced, of questionable quality, and frankly, held nothing that I wanted. (The kicker was when any points were redeemed, a tax had to be placed on the exchange.)
So, yeah, reward. Wow. Yippy. Feel that corporate motivation pumping through me!
I have since left that toxic company. The circumstances were not good, but I am now having the time of my life doing things that people could only dream about. And rewards are simple now. Here, Steve, take this cop car for a day and have fun. Wanna ride in the helicopter? Want to ride the hoist up to the hovering helo?
Now THAT’S rewarding.
Steve
Steve: I know that cost-cutting is the way of things, especially in this area where the local job market is still down. MY problem is the packaging. If a plaque is too expensive; then stop giving awarding them instead of changing to an online catalog and pretending that it’s a change for the better. It’s almost insulting our intelligence. If there were better opportunities available nearby, my cube farm would be deserted. I have worked in organizations that truly valued their employees and their contributions which makes the current situation even more frustrating.
I have 2 more years with my company before I reach my next milestone (25yr). It will be interesting to see what the gift catalog will hold for me. While they’ve upgraded the quality and variety of gift choices over the years, mostly by choosing a better company, I wonder if this will be one of the many budget cuts we’ve seen over the past couple years. One piece of advice–don’t be tempted to just blow off choosing something from the catalog. A friend did that back when our 5yr gift choices were tacky and useless; they gladly pick something for you. At least you might avoid the crappiest of the crap.
Mountain Girl: I know that many employees don’t care; but I would really appreciate a quality gift. Believe it or not, the clock that I received back in the mid ’90s at a previous company is still on display in our study. (And still running!) I did finally make a selection even though it’s unquestionably the worst gift that California Girl or I have picked for a service award. I know that it’s just a job and that I’ll have many more before my working day are over; but, it’s an accomplishment that I still like to commemorate. Sadly, and coincidentally, we had yet another round of “stealth layoffs” today.
My last job felt like Dilbert too…especially the jokes about losing the soul.
Viemoira: My favorite quote from Dilbert is “I’ll go gather the requirements and come up with a design. The rest of you START CODING!!”