Employers should not overlook incentives or recognition in seeking ways to motivate staff and boost performance. On the contrary, they should set up systems that make the most of them and actively encourage managers and colleagues throughout the organisation to ‘share the love’.

The overriding principles to follow in this can be summarised as:  

  1. Design rewards that reflect the reality of the individual jobs and teams in which they are given. 
  2. Link rewards clearly and consistently to performance.  
  3. Make sure that reward schemes and how they are administered are seen as fair. 

See the practice summary for the main insights and practical recommendations for action. 

See the scientific summary for our methodology and technical information on the research and study references.

To continue reading, log in or become a member

Affiliate membership offers instant access to CIPD resources without the need for assessments or study, or explore your options to become a professional member of the CIPD to demonstrate your commitment to the world of work.

  • Access to exclusive, up-to-date resources
  • Become part of a community to learn, debate and connect with other people professionals
  • Free access to a series of CIPD learning courses and a discount on the rest of our catalogue

More on this topic

Data

Data hub

Explore the evidence behind workforce trends

Data

Pay intentions

Stay up to date with the latest pay intentions among employers in the UK.

Policy engagement

CIPD consultation response: Low Pay Commission 2025 consultation

Our response to the Low Pay Commission consultation

Latest evidence reviews

Evidence review

Impact of human resource management: An evidence review

We examine research evidence to understand if and how HR practices influences organisational performance and key workplace outcomes

For Members
Evidence review

Trust and psychological safety: An evidence review

Find out what the evidence says about building trust and psychological safety

For Members
Evidence review

Effective people managers: Evidence review

Research exploring how to develop people managers who drive organisational success

For Members
Evidence review

High-performing teams: An evidence review

Explore the latest research on how to create a positive environment to build and nurture effective teams

All evidence reviews