Pay with a personal touch

Let staff members know how much you appreciate all they do by adding a personal touch to their paycheck stubs, suggests Dr. Laura Lee at Acres Animal Hospital in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

"I write a short note on staff members' paycheck stubs when I sign their checks," she says. "I think back on the previous two weeks and make a comment on something that has happened in their lives or on some service that they provided, or I just thank them for all their hard work."

Dr. Lee also adds a colorful sticker that reminds her of the recipient. For instance, a bovine fan gets cow stickers and a Scooby-Doo aficionado receives images of the cartoon character. "The stickers are a hit," says Dr. Lee. "The staff members compare stickers, and if I got busy and forgot, they let me know!

"It's nice to see someone eagerly tear open their pay envelope not just for the money but also for the sticker and the recognition inside. After all, money isn't everything!"