Coffee conversation about working and rewards

A woman who works for a very large company told me she'd won a prize for perfect attendance at work. Everyone who has shown up and worked their assigned shift has their name in a drawing-$50 prize. She said they do that not for people her age (I'd guess she's about 55), but for the young workers who haven't yet learned "a day's pay for a day's work." So the corporation has to "teach" them by offering prizes what their parents should have. Years ago you would have had your pay docked, and if that didn't work, you'd be fired. I wonder which method teaches the lesson more effectively?

Made her day

A woman in a simple black sheath, black belt, modest jewelry and black high heels with a good haircut and understated make-up walked past my table.

"Job interview today?" I asked.

She looked a bit puzzled, and then said, "No, just going to work."

"Well, you look absolutely fabulous."

As she left, she paused at my table and said, "Thank you, you made my day."

He works 80 hours a week

He's not poor. When you chat with him you have the feeling one of you isn't there. He says it's because of the staff reductions in the home office, but I don't believe him. I nod and make sympathetic noises through my coffee. People who work that many housrs (I'm not referring to low income people who are working 3 jobs to pay the rent and car payment) want to be indispensable, or they have nothing else in life that excites them as much as work.