Times are tough. Even if you are doing OK, you know and notice that many workers are struggling to keep up. Companies are scaling back right when their workers need bigger raises to make up for huge price increases in gas, food, travel and housing.

So what are you doing to help? Well, if you are a manager or an HR professional, I recommend you get busy thinking of ways to make the lives of your valued employees better.

  • Consider adjusting wages up if you can
  • Offer alternative schedules to cut down on commuting expenses and improve work life balance
  • Offer telecommuting if you can
  • Adjust start times to allow people to come to work when there is less gas gobbling traffic
  • Offer financial management classes to help people make better financial decisions
  • Offer a bus pass program or other incentives for using public transportation
  • Reduce business travel and use the money for pay and benefits - webinars are the way to go
  • Ask your employees for their input on ways you can help

Now is NOT the time to be too rigid when it comes to schedules and workspaces. HR professionals and department managers have an opportunity - and obligation - to make a position contribution during these times of economic uncertainty.

And if you are not in a decision making position, I suggest you print this post out and leave it in the mailboxes of several managers and the HR team on the morning before their next staff meeting. Be a catalyst!


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