Bagels on Monday

I probably won’t be getting a raise this year.  In fact, it’s highly unlikely that you will either.   Instead, we get the pleasure of constantly stressing over benefit changes, slumping 401Ks, re-orgs, and layoff rumors.  Our current economic state has caused our employers to pinch pennies worse than a ninety year-old man and we feel the repercussions.   But does it really have to feel this bad?

In a conversation a few weeks ago with a family member, I found out that his company instituted a new tuition reimbursement program.   This is the first year that they have ever offered tuition reimbursement.  Shocked that it’s happened now?  I certainly was at first, but after thinking about it for a few minutes, it started making a lot of sense.  Offering education benefits accomplishes at least three important things.  First, it’s a sound investment.  It equips your employees with a deeper knowledge base and an expanded skillset  - both of which should improve performance and increase their overall value.  Second, it increases the likelihood that your employees will stick around.  After all, MBAs degrees aren’t earned over night.  Third, and most important, it improves employee satisfaction.  There is something extremely comforting in knowing that your employer wants to see you get a better education and is willing to pay for it.

On a similar note, a friend of mine recently started a new job and was excited to tell me about her first day.  Of the many differences between her old and new job, one of the first things that she mentioned was that her employer spoils its workers with bagels every Monday morning.  What a great way to start off your week!  Imagine struggling to get your aching bones out of bed at 6:00 AM, spilling coffee on your lap during the morning commute, and having the weather man remind you that it’s going to be below 20 degrees for the entire work week.  But wait!  As soon as I get into the office I’m gonna toast myself an everything bagel, spread a little bit of jalapeno cream cheese on top, and forget about the week’s stresses as a take my first bite.  Talk about improving employee morale and shielding people from the things that they worry about every day.  And all it took was a stinkin’ 99-cent bagel!

People look forward to the little things throughout the day that make them happy:  grabbing a snack from the pantry, walking to the local coffee shop for a break from the office, throwing back a brew at the end of the day with colleagues.  Companies need to start getting creative.  People can live without a salary increase in 2009 but their employers need to do something to help them forget about it.  

- KLB