The Secret SPIFF Society: Incentives Should Drive Results, Not Lawsuits

When sales incentives go wrong, they can go REALLY wrong. Join HR veterans Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rower as they share a jaw-dropping confession from an IT manager who stumbled upon a secret sales team ritual that would make any compliance officer's head spin. This episode explores the dark side of SPIFFs, workplace favoritism, and what happens when leadership turns a blind eye to frat-house behavior in the office. Plus, get practical advice on designing fair incentive programs and knowing when to speak up about workplace misconduct. Show Notes: The Setup: IT manager "Owen" discovers sales managers running a secret operation in unused office space SPIFF Basics: Sales Performance Incentive Fund - understanding what they are and how they should work Red Flags in This Story:  Managers playing favorites with direct reports Creating unofficial "bonus" opportunities outside official channels Power dynamics and potential coercion Complete lack of accountability Best Practices for Sales Incentive Design:  Align incentives with company values Ensure equitable opportunity for all participants Focus on behaviors you want to encourage Consider collaborative elements alongside individual goals When to Escalate: Advice for non-HR employees who witness misconduct Culture Check: Signs your workplace culture might be toxic Key Takeaway: If leadership doesn't care about culture, HR can only do so much Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices