Incentive for participation

pfbond74

Our company participates in a United Way drive each year. Is it ok to offer an incentive (free soft drink) to employees who contribute to this drive?

Peyton Irby MS

certainly not illegal to do so. one soft drink is not a "bonus" so as to affect anyone's rate of pay for w & h purposes.
Peyton Irby
Editor, Mississippi Employment Law Letter
Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A.
(601) 949-4810
[email]pirby@watkinsludlam.com[/email]

Parabeagle

I use to give out scratch-it lottery tickets to those who signed up. That was about the only way I could get some folks to contribute!

pfbond74

Thanks for the quick response.

deniseE

Our company does a few things...first is a drive to get people to sign up...the department with the greatest percentage of donators wins the "trophy" for the year. Using the percentage system, it keeps it a bit more fair since some areas have hundreds of people while others have only 15-20 people.

At the end of the year a "thank you" break is held. The organizations receiving the donations provide pins to employees representing either continued support or a newcomer. This year was a breakfast thing and we had bagels, doughnuts and coffee.

Participation is pretty high and we can do it directly through payroll deduction-which makes it really easy!

hrbanker

We give several prizes for different levels of participation. Those who give through payroll deduction go into a hat for a gift certificate. All contributors are eligible for a drawing for a day off.

System

Our company is a large contributor and supporter of our local United Way, and we offer payroll deduction to our employees. To encourage employee participation, we have a drawing for cash prizes from all those who participate (6 people receive $50), and draw for days off with pay from all those who are participating for the first time or who are increasing their donation (6 folks will receive a day off).