Comments on: Bah-Humbug

By: Jared

Jared — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 20:53:11 +0000

I think that you underestimate the average employee. I know, I for one don’t expect anykind of gift, party or anything else for anytype of holiday. That being said, I also understand that people have to work on holidays, so I don’t even expect it off unless I am lucky enough to schedule vacation during that time.

My current employer gave out turkeys to all of the employees. A nice gesture. If you wanted to you could look at the amount of money that you might spemd on employees as an investment. I would certainly recommend either working for my current company or using the services that we offer.

I don’t really even like holidays….

By: Don Clifton

Don Clifton — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 18:35:46 +0000

Peter, you’re right – undocumented Mexicans are probably the way to go….they’d probably work harder too!

By: Peter

Peter — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 19:14:34 +0000

Spoken like a typical small businessman who sees employees chiefly as a liability.

Well, you can be grateful that you aren’t in Europe running a business where your employees would expect to receive 14 monthly salaries, five weeks of vacation and where the employer contribution to social security is 21% of gross pay.

If others’ misfortune isn’t good enough compensation for handing out real money to your employees, then fire ‘em all and hire undocumented Mexicans. Assuming nothing has changed in the five years since I worked in Utah county, there will be tons of them and they will all be glad for whatever minimum wage you pay them.

By: gst

gst — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 21:37:23 +0000

Our firm Christmas party is tonight. This year: Dinner at Morton's. Next year: bear-baiting.

By: mo mommy

mo mommy — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 04:26:11 +0000

Do something because you appreciate their dedication and hard work, or do nothing and show how you REALLY feel. Something nice can be done for less than a big party, a nice box of chocolates, a movie rental card, etc..
Either way, don’t do something lame and half azz and expect them to fall all over themselves thanking you. When you do something with no effort, it shows and it says more than some mass produced holiday card could ever make up for. Not that I’m bitter or anything…

By: Chad

Chad — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 21:18:21 +0000

I agree with gst. I work at a media dev company in downtown Seattle. We have “Free Bagel Thurdays”, gym memberships, telecommuting, xbox tournaments, etc, and in return, we are flexible as well. If a project needs to be worked on all night, we do it. If we need to work on some some projects on weekends, that’s fine. The little perks go a long way towards happy employees, and happy employees make successful businesses, or at least happy customers.

By: Don Clifton

Don Clifton — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 18:23:43 +0000

Rusty, you just gave me a great idea. I’ll give all the theater employees in Utah a free veil and tiara from our bridal store in Spokane, that they have to come and pick out $200+ value. And then I’ll give all our bridal store employees a VIP pass to the theater in Utah allowing them free admissions and free snack bar at least a $200+ value.

Both groups get valuable gifts….that they will never use!

Thanks!

By: Don Clifton

Don Clifton — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 18:19:41 +0000

John, I appreciate the point you make, I do complain about cheap Mormons not spending more at my theater and then I complain – being cheap. Part of that is my point, business is way down at the theater, yet the expectation of the employees are the same.

It’s the expectant attitude that gets me more than the money. This year if Christmas parties and bonuses were based on profit sharing the theater employees would all get coal – no that’s too expensive now – a lump of dirt!

I do provide parties, gifts and bonuses – I do look at them as perqs as gst suggests and there is something to be said about the employees becoming friends and better workers. It’s just too bad for me that they expect it!

By: Susan M

Susan M — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 17:49:09 +0000

Everyone got smashed at our bowling party, I just left before it happened.

By: danithew

danithew — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 15:20:21 +0000

Move to Israel or to a predominantly Muslim country. Then December 25th becomes a day just like any other and you don’t have to worry about all that Christmas nonsense.