In health care management, those in management positions are responsible for ensuring that the department operates professionally and effectively. The healthcare manager does not solely run the department alone. The manager’s subordinates are the backbone of any organization. The managers are responsible for motivating staff to perform job duties with minimum dysfunctions. Motivating staff is an important factor in improving job performance, keeping employee morale high, and maintaining an effective working environment. Management should adopt motivational methods that will encourage the staff to perform duties at the highest of expectations. The healthcare field is an extremely stressful and highly demanding field. Management should implement motivational methods, including incentive programs, alternative working arrangements, and clear polices regarding to rules and regulations. In an organization, employees share a common working environment; however, the goals, personal responsibilities, and lifestyles, of each employee differ from one to the next. Health care managers should communicate with employees individually and as a group in an attempt to understand the importance of working at their maximum potential. Communication is also important for the manager to understand what issues are preventing employees from performing duties at a maximum potential. “Active support from the management in such activities via resources, time, recognition, a clear vision and guidelines can positively influence the knowledge seeking and contribution behavior or individuals.” (2011 ). Adopting an employee incentive program is a method of motivation that will boost employee morale and job efficiency. Managers must provide employee appreciation, opportunities for advancement, bonuses, and salary increases as rewarded for a job well done. By discussing and evaluating the goals and performance expectations with team members both individually and as a group, managers will be able to get a clear understanding of what motivates employees as a whole, so that job performance improved. Incentives should be clearly designed and discussed with all staff and should be given to employees who have rightfully earned them. Showing favor and providing incentives to team members who has not earned them, will reduce morale among the department. Providing an “employee of the month” certificate is a motivation method that will encourage staffers to improve performance and feel appreciated for the work they have done. Managers can boost morale by holding quarterly office appreciation dinners, parties, or small gatherings that allow the managers and staff to communicate socially. This method of motivation opens the door to individual communication among managers and subordinates as well as providing employees with a since of importance and belonging within the corporation. Employees will demonstrate a commitment to their organization if the organization offers the opportunity for career advancement. Employees who feel they are working a dead end job are not motivated to perform at their highest ability. A program within the organization should be designed for those who want to reach lead and management level positions. Employees should a have a training program offered for those who desire to achieve job advancement opportunities. Programs should include learning opportunities through training sessions and classes offered outside and within working hours. Employee advancement programs may also be offered through outside institutions. Many health care organizations offer help with college tuition assistance. Employers should offer assistance for the educational advancements of employees who want to be considered for job advancements but need additional credentials. Such programs should be offered as an incentive to employer and has demonstrated excellence in job performance. When organizations are able to award such incentives, employees are motivated to strive for excellence. Employees will appreciate the opportunities and provide loyal and competitive service. Because people are in need of health care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, health care workers often work long hours, weekends, and holidays. Alternative work arrangements can be used as an effective motivator by the health care management team. Health care workers suffer from burnout and high stress levels caused by working long hours and weekends. Health care workers should be well rested and attentive while caring for ill patients, handling important medical records, and information. Compressed work weeks are a method that allows employees to work longer work days while still maintaining enough hours for a full time work week. Employees would have the option of working three 12-hour shift days, or four 10-hour shift days. This method would allow the employees an extra day or two off for rest and relaxation. Acquiring one or two extra days off during a work week is appealing to employees. Implementing an alternative work schedule arrangement may prove to be a challenge for most health care managers, however; this method will lower the stress levels of many health care workers. This method of motivation works as it improves job satisfaction, morale, and attendance. A Flexible hour’s program is a motivation method similar to the alternative work arrangement. A flexible hour’s program will allocate a specific number of hours given to staffers to use for emergency cases, personal obligations, and other reasons that may cause the employee to arrive to work late. The flexible hours would be a specific number of hours based on employee seniority, attendance, and job performance. Flexible hours will allow an employee to come to work at a later or earlier time while still offering that employee the opportunity to work all of the scheduled hours. Hours should be distributed within a quarterly method, so that replenishment is available after hours have been used . This method should be clearly discussed with employees. Management and employees must maintain an effective method of communication while implementing flexible hours. In most cases flexible hour will be used for emergency purposes; however, it remains important that the manager is aware of the staffing availability within the department. E-mails and call-in options should be made available when using flexible hours. This will ensure that the managers knowhow the schedule will be affected in a timely manner. Every health care organization should implement a clear policy on rules and regulations. A clear policy for employee expectations, rules, and regulations will allow employee to perform job duties accordingly while promoting a since of security and workplace harmony. Managers should enforce rules and regulations fairly among staff. Rules and reinforcement policies should never be manipulated by managers. Manager should also follow the same policies that have been set for subordinates. Managers should provide this information through employee meetings, orientations, and employee handbooks. When employees are provided with accurate information on the rules and regulations, they are motivated to refrain from behaviors that will result in being written up or job termination. As managers show an interest in motivating employees, employees will strive to prove themselves as a valuable asset to the organization. In the field of health care it is vital that employee morale is high and that the team members believe that they are an important aspect of an organization. Health care professionals, patients, and all stock holders will benefit from motivators, such as flexible schedules, career advancement opportunities, and knowing that all staff works in a safe and fair environment. It is important that managers are open to communicating with staff while attempting to organize effective methods of motivation for the department or organization.