An Evaluation of Static versus Variable Antecedents on Employee Performance

Warman et al. (2019) compared two kinds of reminder signs at work. One sign stayed the same every day. The other sign changed daily and used humor.

They used an alternating-treatments design. Staff saw either the static sign or the funny, changing sign on different days. The team measured how often workers followed two posted rules.

Daily-changing humorous signs won. Staff followed the rules more often on days when the sign was fresh and funny.

Static signs lost power quickly. After a few views, workers stopped noticing them.

Phillabaum et al. (2023) also used a visual poster, but they added peer comparison data. Both studies show that a simple posted cue can lift staff performance, yet Warman proves novelty and humor alone can work without graphs or rankings.

Goings et al. (2019) combined feedback, public posting, and incentives in a package. Their strong gains might look like a contradiction to Warman’s lighter touch, but the settings differ. Goings targeted classroom organization that needed big change, while Warman focused on quick compliance tasks where a joke was enough.

Burgio et al. (1991) had delivery drivers make their own reminder signs and saw seat-belt use double. Warman extends this idea: employee-relevant humor, rotated daily, keeps the prompt effective over time.

You can boost staff compliance tomorrow with a marker and a joke. Write today’s reminder, add a funny line, and post it. Swap it for a new joke the next day. This zero-cost tactic beats leaving the same faded notice on the wall. Use it for hand-washing, data-sheet return, or tidying client areas. Keep the laughs coming and the behavior stays up.