How about a general happiness index that includes economic matters, but also a lot of other things?

But that game is rigged.

I would rather tie their wages to the minimum wage in some fashion, so that the only way they get a pay raise is to raise the minimum wage.

Though even that would likely have minimal effect. It seems to me that most of them make their main income from other sources than direct government payments.

The problem with the concept presented in the op is that if they wanted more cash via their paycheck, they would likely just do things to fudge the numbers. Things that maybe are not good for the long term economy, but make things jump in the short term. Or just change the way things are counted to fudge the numbers.

Also, it penalizes a minority who is balked in attempting to make things better, or rewards a minority that tries to block progress