Thank you, money or what would you want?

So at work last afternoon, the dayshift lead was looking over some hard plastic items which inserts (Small bronze screwholders) get inserted into. They have a very bad tendency to crack when this occurs, so I suggested he try heating them up (150 degrees) and then try inserting them.

Well, we tried it and he took the results to one of the head engineers. He came back with the parts and handed me a gift card ($10) and said "That was a great idea!"

I thanked him (I was really shocked they did this) but sat there thinking "Would you have been happy with just the verbal response?"...Yes, that would have made me happy also, for I like a bit of recognization. I mean I'm paid to work and think, so the gift card was a surprise.

What do you think or how would you like your manager or company to respond?

Some companies will pay you handsomely for ideas such as yours.  How much have you saved the company or how many complaints have you saved?

It is a kind gesture Genenco but in the scheme of things i.e. against how much you may have saved the company, what is the percentage of your $10?

Either way, it is very thoughtful and if it is against the normal way they run business, quite generous.  Like you, a well meant "thank you" would suffice.

blue

I have worked for a company who could give 2 poops about it's employees, so any kind of recognition would have been wonderful, but money makes the world go round and that is an extra incentive.  Way to go on your idea, and glad you work at a place that appreciates what a great employee you are.

Good for you Genenco! Not only a great idea, but recognition and a bit of cash. I have received all 3 types of rewards and I do love praise and recognition, the occasional certificate or medal or similar, but especially in this economy, money would be a great incentive to me.

As blue said, you have probably saved them a great deal of money in all sorts of ways. But, you do get paid to think and work as part of the "team," so even $10 is a nice gesture. They could have said, good job, and then gone on their way and they didn't.


katt

congrats genenco...i wish you would have gotten more money, verbal recognition and your picture on the wall for employee of the month....the "engineer"  and the lead supervisor should be shamed for not knowing enough about their job and product material properties to have come up with this solution the very, very first time this problem ever happened.....they,  get "paid" already to do that.......i wish you would have gotten more money.  they verbal props you should have gotten also will only be told between the supervisors who will wonder how you knew more than them.  good job!

Usually I'm happy with a nice "thank you", but I've never turned down a raise if I deserved it

12 years ago I was the controller for a company that manufactured embroidered tshirts and sweatshirts that were sold in all the major department stores in the USA.  My background included 9 years in public accounting at a CPA firm and 14 years as a corporate controller at various companies.  9 of those years was in the trucking industry.  Well, after being at this tshirt and sweatshirt company for a few months I realized the blank tshirts and sweatshirts were being shipped to us by ltl rates (less than truckload) instead of truckload rates.  Money wise the company was paying $1,400 per shipment instead of the truckload rate of $550.  I got a rebate check from the trucking company for $70,000 and a 2 year rate for $550 per shipment.  Between the 2 things I saved the company $230,000.  $70000 plus $80000 each year for 2 years.  This company was owned by a married lesbian couple.  I got a thank you from 1 of the owners and the other owner never said 1 word to me about it.  Needless to say I was furious.  I might have gotten into a little trouble for it but I got my revenge.  11 years later I bet they never forgot me.

Pray tell Gunny.  What was your revenge all those years later?

blue

I think you should be happy that they paid you... that was kind of generous from them but I know many people who would be happy with some positive, verbal response since employers often think that they have robots working for them. 

        The money is nice but you should make sure you get credit for any future savings or earnings the co. might make IMO.

I would appreciate verbal recognition and hope that there was something higher up the ranks for me later. The gift card was a nice gesture and must've made you feel valued. We are all at our jobs to add something to the company. Those that bring something extra as you did gene, deserve some extra cash for sure. Nice idea 

Yeah gunny, what did you do? Steal all of their embroidery thread?

katt

Its a great question gene and i think it depends on many factors. Primarily how appreciative is the company in general to their employers. Are they taken care of, get raises and praised for a job well done.

I think if it is a company of a close working community an employee would feel proud to offer some great ideas and would expect nothing in return. Getting that gift card was a very nice gesture and it seems your idea was important enough that simply saying thank you just wasn't enough in your bosses eye.

I would be happy with a thank you if it was a company i truly loved working for.

Lips