Reward vs. Incentive: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 24, 2024
A reward is a benefit given after an action or achievement, while an incentive is an offered benefit to motivate future actions.
Key Differences
A Reward is typically given in recognition of someone's effort, achievement, or behavior, often after the action has occurred. An Incentive, however, is presented before the desired action, serving as a motivation or encouragement for future behavior.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 24, 2024
Rewards are seen as a form of appreciation or acknowledgment for what has been done. Incentives are used as a motivational tool, often to influence or change future behavior in a desired way.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 24, 2024
While a Reward is generally reactionary, given in response to an action, an Incentive is proactive, offered in anticipation of an action or to encourage a specific outcome.
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Jan 24, 2024
A Reward can be tangible or intangible, like a bonus or recognition, given after the completion of a task. An Incentive is often a promised benefit, like a bonus or extra vacation, used to motivate performance or participation.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 24, 2024
Rewards are often more personalized and can vary based on the individual's achievement. Incentives are typically predetermined and communicated in advance to stimulate the desired behavior.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 24, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Timing
Given after an action or achievement
Offered before the desired action
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Purpose
To appreciate or acknowledge past actions
To motivate or encourage future actions
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Form
Can be tangible or intangible, varies based on achievement
Often predetermined and communicated in advance
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Personalization
More personalized based on achievement
Generally uniform to stimulate a specific behavior
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Jan 24, 2024
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Reward and Incentive Definitions
Reward
An outcome that serves as a positive reinforcement for a behavior.
His promotion was a reward for years of hard work.
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Jan 08, 2024
Incentive
A benefit or reward promised for completing certain tasks or objectives.
Employees were offered a bonus as an incentive for meeting targets.
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Reward
A token of appreciation for one's contribution or effort.
As a reward for their loyalty, customers received discounts.
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Jan 08, 2024
Incentive
An inducement or encouragement for someone to act in a certain way.
Tax incentives were given to encourage investment in renewable energy.
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Jan 08, 2024
Reward
A prize or benefit given for completing a task or meeting a goal.
Winning the championship was the ultimate reward for the team.
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Incentive
A motivating factor or influence intended to guide behavior in a desired direction.
The company provided an incentive for employees to adopt healthier lifestyles.
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Reward
A return or compensation for a specific action or service.
The reward for finding the lost dog was $100.
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Jan 08, 2024
Incentive
A stimulus or inducement offered to motivate or encourage specific actions or behaviors.
An incentive program was introduced to boost sales.
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Jan 08, 2024
Reward
A consequence that happens to someone as a result of worthy or unworthy behavior
The rewards of exercise.
The rewards of lying to your boss.
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Jan 06, 2024
Incentive
A promised reward to stimulate greater output or investment.
Incentives were offered for early completion of the project.
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Jan 08, 2024
Reward
Money offered or given for some special service, such as the return of a lost article or the capture of a criminal.
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Jan 06, 2024
Incentive
Something, such as the fear of punishment or the expectation of reward, that induces action or motivates effort.
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Jan 06, 2024
Incentive
Serving to induce or motivate
An incentive bonus for high productivity.
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Jan 06, 2024
Reward
(Psychology) The return for performance of a desired behavior; positive reinforcement.
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Jan 06, 2024
Incentive
Something that motivates, rouses, or encourages.
I have no incentive to do housework right now.
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Jan 06, 2024
Incentive
A bonus or reward, often monetary, to work harder.
Management offered the sales team a $500 incentive for each car sold.
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Jan 06, 2024
Reward
Something of value given in return for an act.
For catching the thief, you'll get a nice reward.
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Reward
A prize promised for a certain deed or catch
The rewards for bringing in badly wanted criminals are printed on 'dead or alive' posters.
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Jan 06, 2024
Reward
The result of an action, whether good or bad.
Is this the reward I get for telling the truth: to be put in jail?
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Jan 06, 2024
Incentive
Inciting; encouraging or moving; rousing to action; stimulative.
Competency is the most incentive to industry.
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Jan 06, 2024
Reward
(transitive) To give a reward to or for.
Why are you rewarding the child for misbehaving?
Why are you rewarding that bad behaviour?
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Jan 06, 2024
Incentive
Serving to kindle or set on fire.
Part incentive reedProvide, pernicious with one touch of fire.
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Reward
(transitive) To recompense.
Decorations are meant to reward the most meritous acts and services.
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Jan 06, 2024
Incentive
That which moves or influences the mind, or operates on the passions; that which incites, or has a tendency to incite, to determination or action; that which prompts to good or ill; motive; spur; as, the love of money, and the desire of promotion, are two powerful incentives to action.
The greatest obstacles, the greatest terrors that come in their way, are so far from making them quit the work they had begun, that they rather prove incentives to them to go on in it.
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Jan 06, 2024
Reward
To give in return, whether good or evil; - commonly in a good sense; to requite; to recompense; to repay; to compensate.
After the deed that is done, one doom shall reward,Mercy or no mercy as truth will accord.
Thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
God rewards those that have made use of the single talent.
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Jan 06, 2024
Incentive
An additional payment (or other remuneration) to employees as a means of increasing output
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Jan 06, 2024
Reward
That which is given in return for good or evil done or received; esp., that which is offered or given in return for some service or attainment, as for excellence in studies, for the return of something lost, etc.; recompense; requital.
Thou returnestFrom flight, seditious angel, to receiveThy merited reward.
Rewards and punishments do always presuppose something willingly done well or ill.
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Jan 06, 2024
Reward
Hence, the fruit of one's labor or works.
The dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward.
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Jan 06, 2024
Reward
Compensation or remuneration for services; a sum of money paid or taken for doing, or forbearing to do, some act.
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Jan 06, 2024
Reward
A recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing;
The wages of sin is death
Virtue is its own reward
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Reward
The offer of money for helping to find a criminal or for returning lost property
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Reward
Benefit resulting from some event or action;
It turned out to my advantage
Reaping the rewards of generosity
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Reward
Bestow honor or rewards upon;
Today we honor our soldiers
The scout was rewarded for courageus action
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Reward
Act or give recompensation in recognition of someone's behavior or actions
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Jan 06, 2024
Reward
A benefit given in recognition of one's effort or achievement.
She received a monetary reward for her outstanding performance.
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Jan 08, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a reward?
A benefit given in recognition of an action or achievement.
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Jan 24, 2024
Are rewards personalized?
Often, they are personalized based on individual achievement.
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Jan 24, 2024
Do rewards motivate future behavior?
They mainly acknowledge past behavior rather than motivate future actions.
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Jan 24, 2024
Are incentives typically uniform or varied?
They are often uniform, designed to stimulate specific behavior.
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Jan 24, 2024
What types of rewards are common in the workplace?
Bonuses, recognition, and promotions are common rewards.
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Jan 24, 2024
When are rewards typically given?
After the completion of an action or realization of an achievement.
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Jan 24, 2024
Can incentives be monetary?
Yes, incentives can be monetary or non-monetary.
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Jan 24, 2024
Can a reward act as an incentive?
Sometimes, the prospect of a reward can serve as an incentive.
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Jan 24, 2024
When are incentives provided?
Before the desired action to encourage or motivate it.
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Jan 24, 2024
Can incentives be non-financial?
Yes, such as extra vacation days or flexible working hours.
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Jan 24, 2024
What role do rewards play in employee retention?
Rewards can increase employee satisfaction and loyalty.
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Jan 24, 2024
What is an incentive?
A benefit offered to motivate or encourage specific future actions.
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Jan 24, 2024
Can both rewards and incentives be part of a performance management system?
Yes, they are often integral parts of performance management.
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Jan 24, 2024
How do rewards differ from incentives in business?
Rewards acknowledge past performance, while incentives aim to drive future performance.
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Jan 24, 2024
How do businesses decide on appropriate incentives?
They assess the desired outcomes, employee preferences, and business objectives.
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Jan 24, 2024
Do incentives influence future actions?
Yes, incentives aim to influence or change future behavior.
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Jan 24, 2024
How do incentives benefit employers?
Incentives can increase employee motivation and productivity.
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Jan 24, 2024
Are incentives always effective?
Effectiveness depends on how well-aligned they are with the desired outcomes.
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Jan 24, 2024
Are incentives always predetermined?
Typically, yes, to provide clear motivation for specific goals.
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Jan 24, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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