A business is like an army – it stands as strong as its soldiers.

That’s just how important employees are; their efforts ensure that a business runs perfectly. However, entrepreneurs often get so lost in the business world, that they overlook the hard work employees put in. This just makes them feel underappreciated, ultimately affecting their willingness to perform well.

That’s just how the human psyche functions, and it must be dealt with through fair yet fulfilling reward programs. Now, you don’t need a lot of money for that! The right way of rewarding employees requires nothing more than sincerity.

Here are some ways you can reward your employees the right way:

Analyse Your Working Environment

It’s always better to know where you’re going to aim, and not randomly firing arrows away.

Before you think about the specifics of your rewards program, understand how your own working environment runs, and what do they need – do they feel exploited, or underpaid? Do they need a more comfortable workspace, or do they want something else? Be willing to ask, and be open about willing to help; the sooner you show employees that you care, the better.

Praise Them

Let’s state the obvious: praising never costs anything.

Whether it’s a handwritten “thank you” note, or a verbal conversation, let your employees know that their hard work does not go unnoticed. This kind of recognition hits close to home, and employees immediately feel valued. Not only does this motivate them to do better, but also improves positive communication throughout the team.

Try to stay away from automated or “artificial” praises, like ready-made “thank you” card or a generic email. These never feel genuine, and the employee will feel the insincerity.

Give Them Responsibility

Now, you might wonder, “Giving added stress as a reward doesn’t sound like a reward!”

Well, it’s more likely than you’d think.

Responsibility is not just piling more work on the employee’s shoulders; it’s about giving them the freedom to make important decisions themselves. It sounds counter-intuitive, but it works like wonders – you’ll see an obvious difference in an employee’s mannerisms when you let them take the lead for once.

Not only do they feel appreciated for being entrusted with leadership, they’ll also develop key skills like management and leadership – and inevitably improve themselves.

Offer Flexibility

When employees work for your business, they’re expending themselves both physically and mentally. They’ll burn out too soon if you don’t cut them some slack, one way or another.

That’s why offering flexible working conditions keep the work environment a lot more comfortable. If someone has been consistently leaving the store at the very last, let them come the next day a few hours late so that they may rest. You could even go above and beyond by offering a whole day or two off if you find that an employee has worked exceptionally well.

It’s a lot easier to know which employees should be given flexible time slots based on their working times – and Oscar offers a POS solution for that! This POS in Pakistan has a well-integrated employee management software, which lets you record how long specific employees are working (among other cooler things). That way, you’ll know who to reward fairly.

All in all, giving your employees the chance to restore themselves both physically and mentally is one of the best kind of reward, because it shows that you care – and that you want them to be healthy.


As the owner of a business, it’s your responsibility to make sure your employees are productive – and the best (and cheapest way!) of boosting productivity is by making your workforce feel appreciated. Read on to find more ways to empower your employees.