Sharon Lewis
It is so hard to attract and retain good employees! It’s a job seekers market. With the improving economy and the Covid-19 pandemic related shift in employment needs and unemployment benefits, a quick look at any of the job boards will show a number of “urgently hiring” postings. Small business owners can struggle to pay competitive wages and to keep up with the increasing minimum wage. Here in Connecticut, minimum wage is increasing to $13 in August 2021. Georgia and Wyoming currently have the lowest minimum wage of $5.15. That $7.85 difference can truly make it difficult to price services and products at a price acceptable to the customer and cover wages and overhead. As an alternative to raises and higher wages consider some non-salary compensation ideas to show your appreciation of your employees. Make sure that you check in with them about what is meaningful to them as all the ideas won’t work for everyone!