Over the past three years, there is not an organization that hasn’t made some painful cost-cutting changes in salaries, bonuses, retirement benefits, health insurance benefits, or staff size. And, even if the economists are right and we are pulling out of the Great Recession, employers know all too well that the “happy days” are not yet here again.  In the meantime, finding ways to say “thank you” to employees has to remain a high priority. 

One answer may be in changing office hours.  Closing early on Fridays can give everyone an additional hour or two of paid non-work time each week.  Obviously customer needs drive business hours, but if you’re not in the retail sector, a little research may surprise you with how little client or customer contact occurs late Friday afternoons.

When more money isn’t a realistic answer, what could you do for your great staff?