Bonuses & Fines

rfwoodvt

rfwoodvt

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Been seeing alot about "safety" bonuses lately and have been looking around at other "incentive" programs to check thier efficacy.

By and large it seems that bonus programs work but quite often it seem that less than half of the eligible participants actually participate.

I've seen this trend everywhere. Anyone that has worked with kids can attest to this, if you offer a prize for some performance only a handfull will really put the effort in to earn it.

So what do you do with the remaining "eligible parties?"

Positive consequences for right behaviour sounds like the way to go, but it appears to fail miserably.

Negative consequences, as maligned as they are in today's society, appear to almost always work.

Clearly people take the path of least resistance, and effort to "earn" something is often not that path, no matter how simple the extra task is. That, by default, makes avoidance of negative consequences the path of least resistance.

That said, do any of you "fine" your employees for failure to comply with rules or policies such as PPE requirements?

If so, how is your compliance program set up and how successful has it been?

Any word or thoughts on the legal aspects of such programs?
 
When my son works with me it costs him $5 to walk into the work zone without his hardhat. I've only had to charge him once.

I don't think it's wise to dock a wage earner's pay from a legal perspective but you're right, some people just don't keep up until it hurts'em.

I pinch hit for a crew last week who's climber cut a monster chunk of a stem so big that when it tipped over and hit the ground the butt fell back and crushed him into the tree. The guys who saw it said it looked really bad. I finished that stem and the last cut was about 20"... red oak. He was lucky to only be off work for a few days. He was back the last day I worked and out of a crew of five, he was the only guy not wearing PPE. Must've walked under me 10 times without a hat while wood was falling fast and furious... drove me nuts.

If it was my crew I'd have sent him home.
 
christmas bonus is paid from a monthly safety bonus. i dock guys for not wearing ppe, breaking something through not being carefull etc. seems to work out. the more carefull they are the nicer the bonus
 
my boss fines me for my ground guys not wearing there hardhats. He hasn't had to yet, I threatened death to those who make me lose money, and so far we haven't had any problems. I don't mind the responsibility, as foreman and climber I feel compelled to make sure my crew is as safe as possible, and since my boss is never on the job, it's my job to enforce policy

Md, your right, negative reinforcement always works best, but are usually considered "company policy" not "incentive". It's always good to offer both good and bad options to everyone, it gives the right guys the proper atmostsphere to shine there brightest, and gives the "not so great" workers consequences for there lack of better judgement. It's the best of both worlds.
 
I remember while back,there was a similar topic. I think I remember Tod K mentioning a good saftey program they used.

Tod?
 
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christmas bonus is paid from a monthly safety bonus. i dock guys for not wearing ppe, breaking something through not being carefull etc. seems to work out. the more carefull they are the nicer the bonus

[/ QUOTE ]
I think christmas bonus and year end safety bonus should be 2 separate things. If it is a gift of generocity w/ no strings call it a xmas bonus. If you can lose it for safety call it what it is.
 
Im pretty certain that from a legal standpoint, you cannot fine employees for any reason. Meaning you must pay them their rate of pay, regardless of their actions.
The only type of fine that could be collected would be something "docked" from a bonus of some sort.
 
John,

Tony A. fines his guys all the time!
bangtard.gif
 
He's BSing you!

Im telling you, its illegal to fine from someones wages.

If he really is, he'd better stop before someone wises up and gets an attorney.
 
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