Few years ago, I worked at a well known healthcare company doing data entry work. I have countless stories and incidents I can recall about how awful it was, but the place made sweatshops look like a luxurious career to be in to simply put it. I recently hit my 4th year there, and having been trying to leave for well over a year now (I believe my managers had something to do with my job search, but that's a story for another time).
One day during one of our team huddles, my manager announced that they were holding a contest. For the past few months, they claimed, we were severely understaffed due to extended vacation days, excessive call outs, “abusive usage” of medical leaves, etc. So in order to “motivate” us to come into work, those who had perfect attendance for an entire month will win a prize. We all asked what the prize was and they replied they haven't decided yet but was opened to suggestions. So we asked for a day off that won't count towards our PTO days.
Can't do that. This contest is strictly within our department and didn't want to complicate it by involving other departments (i.e. HR. Shady, but whatever. I knew it was going to be a no).
A spot bonus? Again, would involve other departments. (Kind of BS as their spot bonus process was essentially writing a review of why an employee deserves pre-taxed $20 bonus on their next paycheck).
Cold cash? Ehhh…
Can't remember what else was suggested, but I'm sure it wasn't anything they would've agree to. I personally had no interested in participating and thought I was automatically disqualified as I was about to go on vacation for a week that I fought for months for. Turns out I didn't listen to the rules as I did get a prize for perfect attendance (pre approved PTO days didn't count apparently. I also rarely called out of work unless it was serious).
So what did the ten people with perfect attendance win?
A $15 gift card for the notorious coffee chain.
Which is roughly $0.75 per working day.
I think it was that same weekend I went to a wholesale club and saw the exact gift card on sale with 5 in a pack.
I made a point to call out of work few times a month after that.