Total Rewards Perceptions and Work Engagement in Elder-CareOrganizations. Findings from Finland and Italy

We investigate whether employees’ perceptions of their total rewards, especially nonmonetary rewards perceptions, are positively connected to experienced work engagement in elder-care organizations. We used data from five Finnish organizations (n = 154) and seven Italian organizations (n = 137). The results indicate that nonmonetary rewards, especially a feeling that one’s work is appreciated, are connected to all aspects of work engagement. In addition, dedication is explained by employee benefits perceptions reflecting material rewards and stability of employment perception. Total rewards erceptions explain vigor and dedication in the Finnish sample. In the Finnish sample, only appreciated work significantly explains the three dimensions of work engagement (vigor, dedication, and absorption), while in the Italian sample dedication is also explained by employee benefits and stability of employment perceptions. Our conclusions are that organizations should develop especially their nonmonetary rewards to increase employee work engagement and that the role of material rewards may vary in different country contexts.