Describe the use of reinforcement techniques in the workplace. There are 25 new hires, and they must finish a number of new hire onboarding chores like choosing a health insurance plan, setting up direct deposit, choosing a 401(k), and choosing federal, state, and local withholdings. Furthermore, they must submit their biweekly reports on time. After a while, you start to notice a lot of staff absenteeism on the Monday after the biweekly paycheck. As payday draws near, attendance seems to increase.

• Describe a fixed reinforcement schedule, a variable reinforcement schedule, a duration schedule, a response rate schedule, and a noncontingent reinforcement schedule. Explain how each works and when to use each one.
• Refer to the case above. Evaluate the best schedule of reinforcement for the initial paperwork and to get employees to turn in biweekly reports on time. Apply the schedule, explaining specifically how and when one could reinforce the employee. Be sure to provide the rationale.
• Discuss what seems to be happening with the employee absences (explain in terms of operant conditioning), and why it might be happening.
• Refer to the scenario above. Evaluate the best schedule of reinforcement to improve attendance. Apply the schedule, explaining specifically how and when it would be best to reinforce the employee, and provide the rationale.
• Explain how you would work to generalize the attendance behavior across time.
• Identify what sociocultural factors should be considered when trying to encourage better attendance.