Christmas bonuses. For many small business owners, a little extra in the paycheck each year is a way to tell employees that they are appreciated and help staff members on a tight budget ease their financial strain a bit. No one wants to cut back on perks like this, but, in a recession, cutting every extra expense is the only way many small companies can survive. However, while it makes sense to cut things that are actually eating away at the meager profits of a business, employees are struggling, too. The solution is to find ways to give employees a helping hand without spending money that the company can't afford to lose.
Consider Allowing Salaried Staff Members to Telecommute
If the office can survive for a day without a reliable, hard working staff member, ask that person if he or she would like to try working from home for one day a week on a trial basis. This perk is especially valuable for an employee with a long commute and an aging vehicle. Stress that tasks must be completed, just as if the staff member was in the office and that he or she must be available during work hours in case questions arise. Make sure the employee knows that using the day to goof off will result in a loss of telecommuting privileges.
