What is a good punishment for employees who don't follow rules?

Question

My office is implementing several changes... scheduling, client database management, follow-thru check-ups, etc.

As much as I want (and will) implement these things, I know people will be slow to respond to these changes.

I need to come up with some type of punishment for the people who don't follow the plan. I could do the pay-a-quarter jar, but that's not a big enough cost. I need something inventive that isn't too harmful (I can't dock pay or vacation time), but something that gets the point across. Perhaps something that divides the office into teams (we have thirteen people on staff) that pushes the team... or maybe a prize at the end for the person who does best (as voted by the staff).

If anyone has any ideas to motivate people to follow the plan, that would be great as well!

Please, serious responses only. No dirty talk!

This isn't a firing-worthy situation. It's trying to excite people about the new office systems that are in place, and to follow-through with the paperwork being presented.

I agree that we shouldn't have to "blow smoke up their rears," but we need something powerful to motivate them.

Team building is in place... this is separate from that. This is the fine-tuning of things.

Answer 1

I have found that positive reinforcement works better than punishment, and you want to be careful about worker's rights when you start talking about making them pay (even a quarter) - I like your idea of teams and prizes. A little friendly competition works really well in office environments. Give points for everytime someone follows the new plans, and take them away when people don't. The team will be there to encourage their team mates and to help them follow the rules. Give the winning team a pizza party, and make the losing team serve it to them (or something like that).

Answer 2

Yeah, here where I work, the punishment is termination.

Why can't you dock pay or vacation time? They don't need to like the rules, they just need to follow them. If they can't handle the fact that the boss has changed things, then maybe they're not qualified to be employees. I honestly can't imagine not doing something in the new way just because I don't like the new way...it's not up to me to make the policies & procedures here, I just need to know how to follow them.

Rewarding good behavior is potentially a good idea...but I still have a problem with singling someone out just because they did what they were told. It seems to me that everyone should be doing so.

Sorry to sound so negative...It sounds as if you must be a really great boss, if you're so considerate to allow the employees to blow off their jobs.

Answer 3

First off, I would quit any job that tried to make me pay my hard earned money for a punishment. Plus, I think that would be illegal, so scratch that idea. Instead of punishing your employees, you could try to reward those who do follow your plan. Divide the office into teams, and have a pizza party for the winning team. Or maybe let them leave an hour early and go ahead and pay them for that extra hour. Little things like that won't cost your company much money, but if you can lift morale while at the same time growing your buisness, everyone wins.

Answer 4

Typically at three of my locations customer service is generally more frequent on Monday mornings. Working on this day is not the most desirable. Friday tend to be the money days. So people who are not on board with the program write their own ticket. follow the mandate and life's good. don't and well it sucks a little bit

Answer 5

Set reasonable goals and a time-line for them. If they accept the changes with good attitudes and are really trying, they should meet the goals. If the goals are met, reward them with a bonus, a fun party, gift certificates, or whatever. Tell them right from the start what your expectations are and also what their reward will be. There may even be a little peer pressure among them to do a good job since they are being judged and possibly rewarded as a team. Try to meet this challenge with an upbeat, positive attitude, and maybe that will catch on.

Answer 6

Personally, change is always hard for anyone, especially the older the employees are. What I would suggest, which you may not even consider, is training for your individuals of the new plan. Take 1/2 day, or full day, and train them. Tell them this is the way it will be done as everything changes. Support questions, and even suggestions. Give a good speech and remind staff to come to you with questions. Be the best informant and help to your staff. Praise them for all they have done. Good luck!

Answer 7

Depends on the rules!
Also, the best way to get people to go along with new procedures is to get them involved in their coming up with them and their implementation. The more they think it was their idea, the more they will comply with them.
'Punishing' people will only create bad will, a bonus system for following and (hopefully) improving productivity will be much more successful.
You are not a teacher with some recalcitrant students!

Answer 8

Instead of punishment how about rewards for those who do follow the rules. I think you get more flies with honey than with vinegar. Perhaps they could be put in a drawing for a free lunch or something of that sort.

Answer 9

Why not expect them to be professional adults and just do it right? If they don't, they do it again or fix the problems.

Do we really need to baby people that much?

Answer 10

well i suppose you can offer a bonus, put people together to set in motion the ideas you want to implement, and offer them i don't know a day off if the outcome is as good....