A manager at a local fast-food restaurant decides to motivate all his employees by allowing them to eat the food free of charge. Will this reward motivate employees?

A) This should work, because all employees value free food.
B) This might work for some employees, but it might not work for others.
C) This might work as long as the manager is equitable in distributing the food.
D) This will not work. This action satisfies only the employees' subsistence needs.

Answer: B
Explanation: A) Incorrect. Though employees may place some value (perhaps little) on free food, if it does not fill an expressed need for a particular employee, it will not provide sufficient motivation for that employee to improve motivation and performance.
B) Correct. Though employees may place some value (perhaps little) on free food, if it does not fill an expressed need for a particular employee, it will not provide sufficient motivation for that employee to improve motivation and performance.
C) Incorrect. Though one consideration of a rewards system is its fairness, equity alone is not sufficient to ensure success. The potential for success will first be determined by the needs of the employees. An equitably distributed reward has no effect if it does not fill an employee need.
D) Incorrect. If some employees have unfulfilled subsistence needs, then this rewards system may work for them.