Reducing Absenteeism and Rescheduling Among Grocery Store Employees With Point-Contingent Rewards

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to evaluate a reward program designed to reduce absenteeism among staff (N = 38) at a grocery store. The intervention included public feedback and a credit reward system whereby participants got store dollars for attendance and authorized rescheduling of work assignments. Results showed that absenteeism decreased from a group mean of 8 shifts missed per week during baseline to 4.25 shifts missed per week during the intervention before increasing to 6.75 shifts missed per week during the reversal phase. The mean total rescheduling occurrences were reduced from a baseline average of 19.83 per week to 9.25 per week during the intervention and returned to 22.25 per week during the reversal. Employees were also less likely to leave early during the intervention period.

Keywords:

• absenteeism
• public feedback
• point program
• token economy

Notes

Matthew C. Camden is now affiliated with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), Blacksburg, Virginia.

Author order is random.