I am trying to show appreciation to overworked staff but I can't pay them more.

E C

March 18,2022 at 2:19PM UTC

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I am trying to show appreciation to overworked staff but I can't pay them more. I would love to but the organization won't authorize the funds. In the meantime, some staff are in mandatory overtime due to short staffing, and everyone is in voluntary overtime. One idea I have is a "free pass to the head of the line" for a requested day off for those who do X hours of voluntary overtime. But that leaves out my mandated staff, and they really deserve something for what they are doing. Any wisdom?

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AnonymousMarch 18,2022 at 3:47PM UTC
You might try asking them what they would like or what they would find helpful. Be upfront that you wouldn't be able to negotiate a salary change at the moment, but if there's something else that they would want it could be feasible. Then take those requests/suggestions to upper management and ask. It could be that the answer is no, or it could be that the answer is yes to some of the things. Then take that information back to the staff. Just the fact that you asked them and took it to management, will help them feel appreciated.
On top of that, hopefully you are in the trenches with them. Nothing is more frustrating than not being able to take a vacation yourself and seeing someone in upper management take week long vacations. Having the "we are all in this together" attitude goes a long way.
Christine JacquesMarch 18,2022 at 5:24PM UTC
Do you know their jobs well enough to step in for each of them for one hour? Maybe: allow one person per week to leave early or come in late, while you do that person's job for the hour. It would put you on the floor with the troops, and it would be a shared privilege. It could increase morale, and give you some better ammo to advocate for your people. My .02.