ABSTRACT

While seniority and experience still have their place in most organizations members of the X-workforce feel they primarily deserve rewards and reinforcement based on their achievements and proven talents. Implementing Key Recognition at a basic level consists of giving promotions, raises, and achievement or service awards to deserving X’ers. Managers must ensure that these decisions are based on specific and objective criteria, not on subjective whims. The X-workforce can improve the process of Key Recognition by gaining a better understanding of the criteria for it. Many managers resort to negative reinforcement to achieve their goals. Their rationale is that people will perform stated objectives, to avoid undesirable consequences. One informal way to give positive Key Recognition to X’ers is praise.