By Crystal Chan

FRONT office staff at Rendezvous Hotel will enjoy Ben & Jerry's ice cream and discounts when they shop at Centrepoint.

That is, if they receive compliments from hotel guests.

The economic storm has prompted several employers to turn to novel forms of rewards for work performance.

Besides motivating staff, such rewards can also generate business for employers themselves.

Last week, it was reported that property giant CapitaLand would be paying part of the bonus of the 680 people on its managerial staff in the form of shopping vouchers that are to be used in its 11 malls.

This aims to lift sluggish sales for its tenants in malls like Plaza Singapura, Raffles City and Parco Bugis Junction.

Rendezvous Hotel's general manager Kellvin Ong said: 'We've also just given a one-time special payment in the form NTUC Fairprice vouchers to our rank and file staff worth up to $150...

'The vouchers, though small in value, are a form of recognition for staff and we know that they're always very happy to receive it.'

Rendezvous staff with at least one year of service also get a one-night free stay in the hotel and those with five years of service get three nights stay.

Mr Ong said: 'Giving free stays for staff is an opportunity for them to enjoy the hotel facilities that they work in.

'This practice helps to enhance their product knowledge since they will experience the product that they are selling.'

He did not deny that the practice also helps to generate business for the hotel.

'Staff often want to bring their family and friends to the place where they work for a meal and by extending a good staff discount, they can benefit from it,' he said.

Free stays

Employees of Amara Singapore and Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa get free stays and dining vouchers at in-house restaurants.

Amara Singapore general manager Lakshman Perera said: 'We feel it's a good opportunity to show appreciation to our staff. We want to be a hotel that cares for its staff as much as its guests.'

Mall operator AsiaMalls began giving shopping vouchers to its 300 staff in December.

The vouchers can be used in all five malls managed by it - Century Square, Liang Court, Tiong Bahru Plaza, Hougang Mall and White Sands.

Ms Stephanie Ho, AsiaMalls' general manager, said: 'During the current competitive retail climate, we are pro-actively assisting our tenants through various means.

'At Liang Court, the mall has purchased tenants' vouchers and products worth $92,000. This directly goes back to the tenants as sales are chalked up.'

The Straits Times recently reported that Japanese-themed shops in Liang Court were suffering from a drop in sales due to the relocation of Japanese expatriates who used to shop there.

Far East Organization has also given its staff vouchers that can be used in Central and Square 2, the malls it manages.

Far East staff who perform well get free stays in the company's hotels, which include Orchard Parade, Quincy and Albert Court.

Bonus in voucher form

St James Power Station, which has already paid out its staff bonuses for last year, is considering paying part of this year's bonuses in the form of vouchers too.

Its chief executive, Mr Dennis Foo, said: 'We're looking at a win-win situation and CapitaLand's move is smart as it rewards staff while generating business.

'We've been marginally affected by the recession, which will deepen this year.'

Mr Foo is considering paying part of this year's bonuses with vouchers from St James' shareholders, including Metro department store and the BreadTalk group, which includes Din Tai Fung restaurants, Food Republic food courts and J Co Donuts & Coffee.

He said: 'My staff see drinks (alcohol) every day so I won't give them St James vouchers. It's better to give them something more useful.'

Ms Lynne Ng, regional director at recruitment firm Adecco SEA, feels that during such times, these gestures show employees they are appreciated and valued - even if the company is not able to pay cash-based bonuses as they once did.

This article was first published in The New Paper.