How can you incentivize employees to take on challenging shifts?

1 Offer flexibility

One of the main reasons employees may avoid challenging shifts is the lack of balance and control over their personal and professional lives. Offering flexibility in scheduling, such as allowing employees to swap shifts, choose their preferred hours, or work remotely, can help them adjust to their needs and preferences. Flexibility can also reduce stress, absenteeism, and turnover, and improve engagement and satisfaction.

3 Create incentives

In addition to recognition, you can also create incentives for employees to take on challenging shifts. Incentives can be monetary or non-monetary, such as extra pay, time off, gift cards, or vouchers. Incentives can also be based on performance, such as meeting certain goals, targets, or standards. Incentives can motivate employees to perform better, reward them for their sacrifices, and increase their commitment and retention.

4 Build a team

Working on challenging shifts can be isolating and demoralizing, especially if employees feel disconnected from their colleagues, managers, or customers. Building a team can help employees feel supported, valued, and engaged. Building a team can involve creating a shared vision and purpose, fostering communication and collaboration, providing feedback and coaching, and organizing social events and activities. Building a team can enhance employees' sense of belonging, trust, and camaraderie.

5 Promote wellness

Working on challenging shifts can also take a toll on employees' physical and mental health. Promoting wellness can help employees cope with the stress and fatigue of challenging shifts. Promoting wellness can include providing access to health care, counseling, or wellness programs, encouraging healthy habits and behaviors, such as sleep, exercise, and nutrition, and creating a safe and comfortable work environment. Promoting wellness can improve employees' well-being, performance, and resilience.

6 Solicit feedback

Finally, one of the best ways to incentivize employees to take on challenging shifts is to solicit their feedback and input. Soliciting feedback can help you understand their needs, expectations, and challenges, as well as their suggestions and ideas for improvement. Soliciting feedback can also involve involving them in decision-making, problem-solving, or innovation processes. Soliciting feedback can empower employees, increase their ownership and involvement, and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.