[CSL board] bonuses

[Dan MacNeil]

Getting a bonus for showing work within a couple hours of when you 
schedule yourself doesn't require competition with anyone.

Getting a bonus for getting a patch accepted by debian doesn't require 
competing with anyone.

Merely setting a goal for yourself doesn't require competing with anyone.

Arguably, meeting a goal you've set for yourself is potentially 
competitive. I can certainly live without this.

I'm not talking about some sort of piece work sweat shop but I really 
would like to experiment with motivational tools beyond talk and firing.

I am ***very*** much against a uniform bonus for everyone. If people are 
going to make the transition from subsidized wages (VISTA / work study) 
to unsubsidized wages, they need a clear understanding of how their 
efforts effect their wages.


#######
Fred G. Martin wrote:
> I agree wholeheartedly with Josh.  It seems to me this would  
> unnecessarily set up a competitive environment.  If you want to share  
> financial well-being with staff, I would suggest a uniform bonus for  
> everyone.  If at all.
> 
> Fred
> 
> 
> On Jul 3, 2006, at 3:45 PM, Josh Harding wrote:
> 
>> Though it may merit more thought, my initial feeling is that  performance
>> based bonuses have a high potential for creating stress and bad  
>> feelings.
>> What happens when one person helps another complete a project? What  
>> if there
>> are two projects available for someone to pick up, and one is short  and
>> easy, while the other one is challenging but exciting, and the  person in
>> question isn't doing well on money that week?
>>
>> At various workplaces that offered bonuses based on performance,  I've 
>> felt
>> that it had a negative, rather than a positive impact.
>>
>> I'd be in favor of bonuses of a non-monetary nature (though they could
>> _cost_ money) to celebrate achievements, like the completion of a  
>> project.
>> IMHO, it would be better done along the lines of 'all right - we  got 
>> that
>> done! Let's all go have dinner on the CSL' or some such.
>>
>> I'm not a competitive person by nature. Some people thrive on
>> competitiveness. The question here is, do we want to cultivate it,  
>> and, if
>> so, when someone wins, who loses?
>>
>> -Josh
>>
>> On 7/3/06, Dan MacNeil <dan at thecsl.org> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> > This sounds like an idea that needs lots of discussion and  supporting
>>> > documentation.
>>>
>>> yes, it does.
>>>
>>> > For example, is there  a need for newer hardware?
>>>
>>> Some improvements could be made with new hardware, primarily big flat
>>> screen monitors.
>>>
>>> We have the GLCF grant to buy new server hardware.  Given that we're
>>> running Linux on the desktop and not doing a lot of user switching,
>>> hardware needs will amount to 6x$50 for replacement power supplies  for
>>> the lab workstations (6 years old) in the worst case.
>>>
>>> I'd guess that bonuses would produce more results.
>>>
>>> >training for the crew?
>>>
>>> Most of the crew is in the CS program. @ $400/day commercial  
>>> training is
>>> probably out.
>>>
>>> Training is definitely a key area, Right now we share knowledge in a
>>> pretty crude and ad-hoc way.
>>>
>>> >an upcoming  conference?
>>>
>>> We are obliged to send the VISTAs to a conference or conferences  
>>> that is
>>> the equal
>>>
>>> >more VISTAs?
>>>
>>> > How much money is going to be surplus?
>>>
>>> From documents at last board meeting, This summer, Between 4-5K   unless
>>> I did the math wrong and this fiscal year between 7-8K, unless I
>>> remember wrong.
>>>
>>> > How does it play out in the 12  month cash flow projections?
>>>
>>> Reduces us from 7-8K surplus to 6-7k surplus. (if memory serves)
>>>
>>> > This sounds like an idea that needs lots of discussion and  supporting
>>> > documentation.
>>>
>>> yes, it does.
>>>
>>> Laura MacNeil wrote:
>>> > Since finances are tenuous at the Lab, I'd like to know how the  money
>>> > can be spent in other ways that can help the Lab. For example,  is 
>>> there
>>> > a need for newer hardware? training for the crew? an upcoming
>>> > conference? more VISTAs?
>>> >
>>> > How much money is going to be surplus? How does it play out in  the 12
>>> > month cash flow projections?
>>> >
>>> > This sounds like an idea that needs lots of discussion and  supporting
>>> > documentation.
>>> >
>>> > Laura
>>> >
>>> > Dan MacNeil wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> One potential use for some of our small surplus is as monthly  
>>> bonuses.
>>> >>
>>> >> John & my work is tied to money relatively directly. If our  external
>>> >> customer's don't like our work, the lab doesn't get paid.
>>> >>
>>> >> Everyone else lacks this tangable feedback. I could probably do  
>>> better
>>> >> in providing timely and specific evaluation without money but...
>>> >>
>>> >> I was thinking along the lines of:
>>> >>
>>> >>     awarding up to $100 per month per person (5 people)
>>> >>     trial in July, August
>>> >>     10% for each week person shows up as self-scheduled
>>> >>     5% for each week with a tangable goal
>>> >>     5% for each week with an achieved goal.
>>> >>     20% for each patch accepted by Debian project
>>> >>
>>> >> Money not awarded would go back in pool.
>>> >>
>>> >> I have ideas like turtles lay eggs, so I won't get too excited  if 
>>> the
>>> >> gulls eat this one.
>>> >>
>>> >> btw, I put this to the board list there are 5 folks on cadre- 
>>> politics
>>> >> who are either self effacing or interested parties, but this is  
>>> not a
>>> >> secret plan.
>>> >>
>>> >> For VISTAs, the money can be a gift certificate.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
>>> ----------
>>> >>
>>> >> ###To unsubscribe send blank email to:
>>> >> Divinerightofkings-leave at lists.thecsl.org ###
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
>>> ----------
>>> >
>>> > ###To unsubscribe send blank email to:
>>> > Divinerightofkings-leave at lists.thecsl.org ###
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
>>> ----------
>>> ###To unsubscribe send blank email to:
>>> Divinerightofkings-leave at lists.thecsl.org ###
>>>
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
>> ---------
>> ###To unsubscribe send blank email to: Divinerightofkings- 
>> leave at lists.thecsl.org ###
> 
>