This story appears in the
July 2001 issue of
Entrepreneur.
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When times are rough around your campfire, you may be tempted to
halt those "free-bagel Fridays" your employees are so
fond of. But before you take the hatchet to employee perks, heed
the advice of Richard Hadden, an employee relations expert and
co-author of Contented Cows Give Better Milk (Saltillo
Press): "If things have to be taken away, take them from the
[executives] first."
Top 5 Perks to Cut
1. Executive trips and
toys
2. Non-job-related classes
(i.e., yoga or craft classes)
3. Extensive travel
4. Gym memberships
5. Concierge/convenience
services
Top 5 Perks to Keep
1. Child-care services
2. Employee community-building
activities (i.e., free-bagel Fridays)
3. Work/life balance programs
(i.e., paid time off, flextime)
4. Job-related training
5. Hotels for business
travel