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