One CEO revealed that he pays cash bonuses for staff who attend in perfect order. This has led to him being called a ‘backward’ leader and accused of “bribing” employees into ignoring their physical health.
James Ryan, the CEO of London’s Grove Square Galleries said today from Hertfordshire that he provides a bonus for employees who are not sick to help motivate them to go to work when they’re feeling under the weather.
It comes in the wake of a decision by Rome’s council to offer a bonus to rubbish collectors if they show up every working day throughout the Christmas period, while in the UK, Amazon offers a £50 bonus to staff who have perfect attendance.
James justified his decision saying that his workforce was more productive after he implemented the cash incentive.
Izzy Obeng (a Ghanaian entrepreneur) founded Foundervine as a non-profit mentoring agency. He said that employees should feel like their physical and mental health are being ‘acknowledged by their bosses.
Viewers divided slammed James’ attitude, saying they were disgusted’ with the decision. Others said that it was an incentive to motivate lazy employees.


While some people condemned the CEO for his move as bribery and others suggested it may motivate “lazy” employees,
James stated that he wants to “build the right culture” in his company. He also said people may feel better if they go to work rather than calling in sick.
He said, “But, if they’re really sick, of course, we don’t want them coming in. We don’t penalize people for not attending. It’s more of an incentive to people and saying, “Come on, let’s get through this.”
Susanna claimed that James penalized people who take sick days by awarding cash bonuses to people who are perfect at attendance.
She said that if someone takes a sick day they don’t receive the additional cash boost. So you are making it mandatory for people to come to work in order to make the money.

James Ryan, the CEO of Grove Square Galleries London in London, has revealed that he provides a cash incentive to those who attend regularly.

Izzy Obeng (pictured), a Ghanaian entrepreneur, said that people need to feel like their employers recognize their needs for health.

Adil Ray (pictured) and Susanna Roy, host, moderated the discussion. Susanna claimed James is “bribing” people into coming to the office
James was then asked by her if he believed there was a large problem with people taking sick days even though they were not feeling sick.
James stated, “It’s fair for us to all stand up and say that we attempted to pull off a sickie.” He said, “You can get to know the character of people and when they are trying to do a quick one.”
“When it comes down to culture, we have an occupational therapy who visits and speaks to people.
“We had Ollie Ollerton, SAS Who Dares Wins, come into the office yesterday. He said that he was sharing his life experiences.





Many people felt that James’s decision was backward and disgusting after the Covid-19 epidemic.
Susanna suggested that James might expect his staff members to be as grittish and determined as Ollie (a former Special Forces member).
The CEO stated, “Obviously, we don’t want people in our office who are coughing all over the place,”
Izzy, who lives in Accra said James could have created an environment where people don’t want work.
She said that it was all about creating the culture and the messages you send to employees. James is a good example of this.
“Especially when we get out of Covid, where we are all trying our best to return to work and more in the office,” she stated.

Izzy stated that employers must create an environment where employees feel valued and are able to contribute to the company’s success.
Foundervine has the right culture, so people don’t have to take sick days if they aren’t feeling up to it. They need to feel that they are able have an open conversation with their managers, she said.
“So what if there are a lot more people sick than usual? Is that the right culture to create where employees don’t like coming into work, even when they feel fine?”
Adil Ray stated that many small businesses have been affected by people who are sick from the flu or hangovers after it.
Izzy agreed that this is an important topic. However, she added about James’ business: “Is he treating it or just trying to distract from the actual issue of how the organisation works internally? People don’t come in enough.”
James said that Grove Square Galleries workers have been more productive after he introduced the bonus, and that his employees’ well-being is better.
He added, “We consider us to be family here.”
“If you take the education system, for instance, your son should have a 97% attendance rate.
“I don’t think we’re teachers. But this is about following that culture.
He said, “And again some people get up every morning to go to work and do it well and appear fine.”
His company pays full wages to employees, rather than the statutory sick leave.
James’s last-minute precision didn’t save him from disapproval by viewers who called his decision ‘disgusting.
#Paying sick people an extra salary is backwards. There is an epidemic! “I can’t believe that attitude,” one replied.
“Who is that guy?” Some people can get sick. There’s still a pandemic out there but sure get the guy from the SAS in that will help,’ one said.
“I do not agree with the use of bribery in order to get sick people off work. It doesn’t matter if they are sick, they will be. If they cannot work, I prefer that they go home and recover.
One said that he couldn’t take a sickie when he was a nanny because there was no one to help him.
‘I’m so disgusted at this employer paying employees not to go sick, good grief,’ one said.
“It can be difficult to make that dreaded sick phone call to your boss, but it’s important to show compassion for your employees if they are truly sick. One wrote, “I know that some people take the blame but their wages are what they mess with anyway.”
James’s opinion was affirmed by however one other person.
“I think that the bonus is a fantastic incentive!” They said that lazy people might get up to work.