When an employee is doing well in their current job and is eager to take on new work, assigning new responsibilities can be a positive move. For many employees, this is welcome recognition that they have been doing a good job. The employees get the chance to widen their experience and challenge themselves. The employer gets employees who can do a wider variety of work.

It is important to provide training in the new work, along with the close coaching you would give a new employee. It is also important to make sure that the person’s regular work is getting done. The excitement of the new work sometimes means that the regular work gets set aside or moved onto someone else’s desk.

Although employers often think that assigning new responsibilities is recognition for work well done, keep in mind that there is a big difference between giving someone more work as a reward and saying thank you or providing a token of thanks. Don’t abuse your best workers by constantly providing them with more to do. Do remember to express your appreciation for the work they have done.