Between the lines: Why carrot beats stick when it comes to getting the most out of staff

IF YOU don't like it, you know where the door is. How many of us have heard this at some stage of our career from a boss trying to eliminate dissent? Given the current recruitment climate and ever-growing skills shortage across all sectors you may have been forgiven for thinking that these strong-armed tactics have been consigned to a by-gone age – but think again.

As companies struggle against growing absenteeism, some bosses are hitting the panic button and reverting to rules and regulations rather than tackling the root cause.

Back-to-work interviews are now commonplace as employees are taken aside ...