Hypothetical: Money and work.

[Rain Man]

Imagine that your boss came to you in the middle of the year and said, "You know, we think that we're not paying enough to be competitive, so we're going to have to raise our job offers to new hires by 20 percent. To be fair, we're going to give you a 20 percent raise as well, starting right now. This won't affect the fact that we'll also be reviewing your salary at the end of the year for your 'normal' raise."

Would this motivate you to work harder? And if so, how much harder?

[J Diddy]

Screw working harder, inflation is taking care of my paycheck.

[4th and Long]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Imagine that your boss came to you in the middle of the year and said, "You know, we think that we're not paying enough to be competitive, so we're going to have to raise our job offers to new hires by 20 percent. To be fair, we're going to give you a 20 percent raise as well, starting right now. This won't affect the fact that we'll also be reviewing your salary at the end of the year for your 'normal' raise."

Would this motivate you to work harder? And if so, how much harder?

As every stinking boss I have ever had, has used the phrase, "More money does not equate to more productivity or better work habits!" I would say, no.

Besides, I work just as hard, now, as I did day one on the job.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Imagine that your boss came to you in the middle of the year and said, "You know, we think that we're not paying enough to be competitive, so we're going to have to raise our job offers to new hires by 20 percent. To be fair, we're going to give you a 20 percent raise as well, starting right now. This won't affect the fact that we'll also be reviewing your salary at the end of the year for your 'normal' raise."

Would this motivate you to work harder? And if so, how much harder?

20%?

My company fights over 5%.

Anyway, and I'm not saying it to try to sound good, I would not work any harder than I already am. I already do the best job I can do.

That said, if they start people out at $10/hour. Any new person that you hire at $12/hour is not going to work any harder. Why should you expect someone else to?

[Rain Man]

Background: a client of mine is having trouble finding employees, and is pondering this as a solution. While I'm a consultant on another task, we're friendly with each other, and she has given me the details. I'm having a lot of trouble seeing how this is going to be good for her company in the long run, and I'm not sure that a 20 percent higher salary will solve her hiring problem anyway, because I question whether it will produce employees who are more than 20 percent more productive than her current applicants that she's not impressed with.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Background: a client of mine is having trouble finding employees, and is pondering this as a solution. While I'm a consultant on another task, we're friendly with each other, and she has given me the details. I'm having a lot of trouble seeing how this is going to be good for her company in the long run, and I'm not sure that a 20 percent higher salary will solve her hiring problem anyway.

If she's raising the salaries, then she has the right to raise the job expectation. More extensive background and work history checks, schooling, etc.

[Rain Man]

I think she would have the same expectations in terms of pedigrees, but she just thinks she'll get more ambitious and motivated people who apply. Edit: she hires people with a relatively narrow background, so she thinks that perhaps she's not getting the top students to apply because of salary.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I think she would have the same expectations in terms of pedigrees, but she just thinks she'll get more ambitious and motivated people who apply.

She might, but that's risky. You'll have those who think, "I meet the requirements. I'll go for that job since it pays more." If you look at they're work history, it's easy to see longevity, reason for leaving, etc. You'll always have those who try to do as little as is expected of them as possible in order to get the pay.

[Rausch]

I'd work my ass off.

Can't say I've had a lot of employers that appreciated hard work.

Then again, this would likely only work for people on the lower end of the pay scale.

[Logical]

Realistically I think most people would work harder but it likely would be over the short term not over several years. Mainly it would boost morale something fierce in most workplaces.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Rausch

I'd work my ass off.

Can't say I've had a lot of employers that appreciated hard work.

Then again, this would likely only work for people on the lower end of the pay scale.

I started my job at $5.35/hour. Worked in every area of production in the company, and even as an HR assistant and doing onsite work in a hospital. I'm now a measely Assistant Production Supervisor, but I've been with the company for so long that I make $12.95/hour. No matter which area I worked in, I did the best I could. Did the company always seem appreciative? Hell no.

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Background: a client of mine is having trouble finding employees, and is pondering this as a solution. While I'm a consultant on another task, we're friendly with each other, and she has given me the details. I'm having a lot of trouble seeing how this is going to be good for her company in the long run, and I'm not sure that a 20 percent higher salary will solve her hiring problem anyway, because I question whether it will produce employees who are more than 20 percent more productive than her current applicants that she's not impressed with.

At first it will stoke people because it is more, then it will eventually become routine. People who work hard don't necessarily do it for the money. The know in time and hard work the money will come. I work as hard now then I did 10 years ago making 40 percent less.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I think she would have the same expectations in terms of pedigrees, but she just thinks she'll get more ambitious and motivated people who apply. Edit: she hires people with a relatively narrow background, so she thinks that perhaps she's not getting the top students to apply because of salary.

Interesting case it seems. Sorting out better academic backgrounds (top students) isn't necessarily the same thing as trying to attract the most motivated and ambitious applicants.

I would think that if she is trying to get better applicants with the increased salary then she would need to have some intent to adjust her selectivity of applicants accordingly based on their background.

Just guessing, but it would seem that she could attract a better pool of candidates from the higher salary. Depending on the field and size of her company I don't think it takes long for applicants to realize the increase in salary as far as attractiveness of a job. However if she is willing to pay the same type of talent/pedigree that she has been looking for in the past then this may take a while.

[KC Jones]

I wouldn't work harder for almost any amount of money, but mostly because I wouldn't get to see my kids at all if I did. A policy like that would help with the hiring and assist with retention, but probably not as big a boost as what she's hoping for.

[stumppy]

As far as my work went it wouldn't make a difference. I always give 100% at work. What it would do is increase my sense of loyalty towards the company.