Workers keep track of their points in online logbooks. Employees who cash in points for a DVD, for example, are much more likely to remember the company fondly whenever they use the machine or see it in their living room, Niv said. After taxes, you'd probably spend it on your Visa bill or something, and you'd never remember that your company gave it to you as a bonus for doing a good job. Although accumulating points may sound like whimsical fodder for a TV game show, human resource experts are seriously scrutinizing whether the pros outweigh the significant cons of the practice. And companies that participate in such programs typically have to pay a monthly fee to the companies that power the Web site and maintain the company stores associated with the programs.
Many pundits debate whether points and other alternative perks work at all.
There are some companies experimenting with alternatives, but in general we're seeing a stronger emphasis on the base pay package. They're trying to hit the cultural and lifestyle things. Inc. All rights reserved.