Should We Pay Employees to Show Up?

What if employees got a bonus simply for showing up? In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Dana and Sandy tackle a surprisingly controversial question: Should reliable attendance be rewarded, or is showing up on time simply part of the job? Sandy shares an attendance incentive she has used in dental practices for years involving ping-pong balls, cash rewards, and one simple qualification: reliability. But the conversation goes much deeper than bonuses. Because an attendance incentive won't fix a practice that hasn't clearly defined its expectations. Dana and Sandy discuss the importance of work-hour policies, PTO and time-off procedures, defining what "on time" actually means, and creating a culture where team members understand that their presence matters. They also explore when occasional absences become an attendance problem and why the behavior of leaders and long-term employees can quickly influence the rest of the team. ## In This Episode: - Sandy's ping-pong attendance incentive and why it works - PTO, attendance problems, and clear policies - How workplace culture affects reliability - Why rewards should never replace accountability ## Key Takeaways: The goal isn't perfect attendance at all costs. It's reliability. Employees need to know what's expected, how to request time off, what "on time" means, and how to communicate when life happens. And while you're addressing the employee you can't count on, don't forget to recognize the ones you can. You can't hold people accountable for a standard you haven't clearly defined or trained. ## 📲 Join the Conversation! Would you offer an attendance incentive in your practice? Or do you believe showing up reliably is simply part of the job? Join the conversation in the Dental Drill Bits Facebook Group. We'd love to hear what's working in your practice and may feature your experience in a future episode.