[jkic47]

I am forced to give out $20 "lunch for success" coupons to "encourage excellence".

What HR fails to understand is my employees are professional managers and this is uncomfortably similar to giving a dog a treat when it sits up and begs. Given their incomes are well into the 6 figures, this is particularly ridiculous.

My reports know I have to occasionally hand out these token treats to appease HR and are well aware that I reward them for performance in their bonuses, where it counts.

We've made it an insider joke - I now throw a meeting once a month and hand these wretched things out. HR is invited to it and the staff gush effusively over the reward. I swear they are more motivated by the charade than anything.