A new global study by Monster.com, an on-line careers and recruitment resource, has found that worrying about Monday can affect your Sunday’s night sleep.

The poll found:

• 82% of respondents from the U.S., 85% from the UK, 83% in France, 80% in Germany, and 72% in Italy, have problems sleeping on Sunday night, at least some of the time.
• Workers' sleep in the U.S. and UK are affected more frequently, with approximately half reporting problems every week.
• Workers in France and Italy reported the lowest amount of instances.

Consistent lack of sleep can hinder a worker's ability to think clearly and decisively, creating more stress at work, and adding to sleep problems. Monster.com offers a few simple steps to help minimize sleepless nights:

• Don't focus on workplace problems. Thinking of the positive aspects of the job keeps the focus away from the down side.
• Create a to-do list. Working on a to-do list can help maximize production time at work, creating less stress, and better sleep.
• Take time off. Employers can help workers de-stress by encouraging vacation time.

Source:  WorldatWork

A program that rewards staffers for new ideas can boost business, but it’s important to make it as transparent as possible.

Rewarding creativity is imperative, yet often businesses and organizations overlook this fact and suffer accordingly. Taking the extra effort to dream up a novel venture or research an alternative process is real work.  Usually creative individuals come up with new ideas on their own time, under their own initiative.

These efforts should not only be recognized, but compensated.  If not, there’s a risk of losing those very individuals the organization should be nurturing and grooming for advancement. There are several important things to consider when coming up with a reward or incentive program.

Finding a Meaningful Reward

The challenge is to find the right value for the idea and reward the creator appropriately.  “All too often the rewards are what the givers think the receiver might like,” say Ken Keller, president of Renaissance Executive Forums of North Los Angeles County, a networking and resource group for chief executives. “Many organization reward people with tickets to a sporting event, when the person being rewarded would really like a dinner out at a restaurant of their choosing.”  Its important to consider a reward that is most meaningful to that individual.

Management should propose a rewards system and get everyone’s input.  Cash is what everyone might think of first, but may be difficult to determine the appropriate amount for the reward.  Plus, receiving a monetary reward could increase the awardee’s tax liability.

Keeping the Pipeline Full of Ideas

Giving traditional rewards, like gift cards, baskets, coupons or discounts, might be a better incentive.  $50 gift cards could be given out on a monthly basis, or for only truly outstanding ideas that come up occasionally. You might think that you’re giving up a lot of money, but keeping the pipeline full of ideas is the ultimate objective. And, just knowing there is a reward available will stimulate creativity and perhaps some competition. 

Avoiding Charges of Unfairness

Talk over whether you should have different levels of incentives for different types of ideas.  Get input from the entire group, and include a vote.  If a rewards program is not crafted carefully, there could be dissension and charges of unfairness.  Set the program in writing and have it reviewed by a lawyer before you launch it. The program won’t last if employees feel they are not being treated fairly.

Finally, don’t forget to include group recognition when a reward is being handed out.  The added pat on the back from peers is just as important.