For this assignment, you will write a 4- to 6-page essay that describes how you would apply reinforcement tools within the working world. You have 25 new employees, and you want them to complete several new-employee onboarding tasks, such as selecting a health insurance plan, federal withholding, state withholding, 401(k) selection, setting up direct deposit, etc. You also want them to turn in biweekly reports on time. Several months later, you have noticed that there are many employee absences on the Monday after the biweekly payday. Attendance seems to improve the closer it gets to payday.

In your essay, be sure to do the following:

• 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 you might 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 you would reinforce the employee. Be sure to provide your rationale.
• Discuss what seems to be happening with the employee absences (explain in terms of operant conditioning), and why you think it is happening.
• Refer to the scenario above. Evaluate the best schedule of reinforcement to improve attendance. Apply the schedule, explaining specifically how and when you would reinforce the employee, and provide your 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.