Positive Reinforcement In The Workplace

It's true that people don't come with instruction manuals, but don't fret. Human behavior, albeit unpredictable, is a process like any other part of an operation and can be managed as such. Gaining an understanding of this process will help produce a stress-free and profitable working atmosphere. If an employee is engaging in behavior to achieve something (positive reinforcement), he or she will constantly try to improve in order to attain more of it. But if an employee is trying to avoid a penalty, he or she will only work hard enough to avoid the consequence, essentially producing only the bare minimum.

Positive Reinforcement
If you want to improve your performance at something, or if you want to create new good habits, one very successful …show more content…
How do you think it makes them feel if you can't even bother to take the time to give them a verbal pat on the back? Not too important, I assure you. I work as a Customer Service Associate, and I deal with retirees from GM and Chrysler Auto companies. Most of these people are in their 70's-90's age group and they are very confused about what is happening with their medical coverage and the whole transitions from their auto company managing their benefits to my company. What makes me get up everyday and go to work is to know that I am able to assist these customers with the confusion they may be having about all the information and mailing materials they received. At my job we have what we call a "kudos" email; it is when a customer speaks to a manager about what a great job an associate has done with assisting them. Just getting recognized for doing your job well is motivating enough to make me get up and go to work. So get positive - and get specific. Tell them what specific things they are doing that you like. Be specific!! Not only does this make your employee feel important and appreciated, but it helps them to perform better by having a frame of reference for the kinds of workplace performance and behavior that you value as a …show more content…
This office manages all courts in Arizona and sets standards that all courts must abide by. Each year training is done for a week and CLE (Continuing Learning Education) credits are earned by employees. Each court personnel must achieve an eighteen credit minimum throughout the year. Failure to do so could result in reprimand. One of the key courses required is the Ethics class. It is offered so that employees are reminded of ethical issues that arise in the court system and how to handle them. As told by the instructor, it’s given so employees cannot ever say they do not know what ethics is. Since it was a requirement it is then expected of the employee to have ethical values. If anything it allows the managing department, which is the Administrative Office of the Courts to demand the desired behavior of positive ethical work standards in the court system, without having to repeat it every day. It is a learned process that develops over time. In regards to negative reinforcement strategies, it should be noted that it is used as a tool to manage employees so that they know what the expectations are. Once they understand and are aware of the consequences then the undesired behavior stops. This is how rules are implemented and enforced. It is key that a manager should also notice when the desired behavior has been achieved. If they fail