(b) predetermined; that is to say, before the man begins to work it must be determined exactly what reward he is to get for doing the work. Page 281
(c) personal; that is, individual, a reward for that particular man for that particular work.
(d) fixed, unchanged. He must get exactly what it has been determined beforehand that he shall get.
(e) assured; that is to say, there must be provision made for this reward before the man begins to work, so that he may be positive that he will get the reward if he does the work. The record of the organization must be that rewards have always been paid in the past, therefore probably will be in the future.
(f) the reward must be prompt; that is to say, as soon as the work has been done, the man must get the reward. This promptness applies to the announcement of the reward; that is to say, the man must know at once that he has gotten the reward, and also to the receipt of the reward by the man.
Positive Reward Arouses Interest and Holds Attention.
— The benefit of the positive reward is that it arouses and holds attention. A fine example of a reward that is not positive is that type of "welfare work" which consists of simply providing the worker with such surroundings as will enable him to work decently and without actual discomfort. The worker, naturally, feels that such surroundings are his right, and in no sense a reward and incentive to added activity. The reward must actually offer to the worker something which he has a right to expect Page 282 only if he earns it; something which will be a positive addition to his life.
Predetermined Reward Concentrates Attention. — The predetermined reward allows both manager and man to concentrate their minds upon the work. There is no shifting of the attention, while the worker wonders what the reward that he is to receive will be. It is also a strong factor for industrial