It’s not only decreased profit and company ratings that employers are so worried about these days. Another fear that’s haunting most business owners is giving a salary increase to their employees. All of us must be aware that the economy has turned, and it’s not only workers that are victims, but employers as well. Due to the weak performance of some companies, they can’t afford to grant their workers additional salary provisions. Fortunately, there’s one free and often effective way that employers can eschew providing a pay raise. I am talking about giving sincere praises or rewards to employees.

Never underestimate the power of sweet words and thoughtful gifts. It’s not only kids that get drawn to that but adults as well. Well, who doesn’t like hearing praises? I will definitely say that I am a fan, because it uplifts my mood and especially my confidence. It’s inevitable that there will be insecure and depressed workers. This is because even if they have managed to keep their jobs, most of them may have still felt other unpleasant effects of the recession. Since there’s not much that they can do to get a promotion from work, they tend to ask for a salary increase. But the majorities of employers are apprehensive about giving additional pay since businesses are still in the process of recovering or are tightly and frugally hanging in there, thus giving an increase in their worker’s salary is hard for them to accommodate.

So what employers should do in order to boost the spirit of their workers is to offer praise or gifts of gratitude. I can still recall that my former grade school teacher had this board that contained a list of the class; each time we got a high score on an exam, we get a star next to our name. That really inspired me and my classmates to work hard because it felt so good getting a lot of stars and comparing it to one another. Company owners can use this idea by putting up board which will hold the picture of the best employee of the month pr by simply greeting them in front of others while thanking them for a job well done. I bet anyone will have the proudest smile seeing their name posted on the board or getting a congratulatory hand shake from their boss

Next tactic is to reward workers with special presents such as excellent employee trophies that they can show off to family and friends. Giving out valuable stuffs that they can make use of are gifts that will have the workers forget about insisting on getting a salary. Handling employees “Thank you” cards that they can exchange for freebies such as dinner, movies or other valuable presents is another way of decreasing the possibility of workers asking for a salary increase.

Acting nice and good towards people that work for you will not only save you from employees demands of a salary raise but will also make them feel valued and appreciated. The morale of workers will surely shoot up high in the sky getting those motivating act of compliments.