Christmas Bonuses Don't Need to Break the Bank
To bonus or not to bonus, that's the question business owners ask themselves as Christmas gift talk fills the server stations. And although the question may seem simple, the answer can be complex.
Restaurant owners who are barely covering expenses have limited funds to give employees holiday bonuses, while profitable restaurateurs generating substantial profits can likely afford a c-note in an envelope. But often, the struggling restaurateur needs to show appreciation for staff loyalty and professionalism during tumultuous times, more than the restaurant that hosts heavy tippers night after night.
Different Views on Bonuses
Although there are two schools of thought on whether to bonus or gift employees during the holidays, I have always opted on the pro-bonus side. No matter how bad my financials were, I always managed to squeeze out a bonus for employees. Yet I have a friend in Minnesota who has struggled for years to turn a profit. When I asked if he were going to bonus his employees his response was quick, short and terse.
"Hell, no. Their paychecks are their bonus. Sharon (his wife) used to give gifts to everyone but we stopped that practice three years ago. I can hardly pay the rent, so no bonuses."
The owners of Cook in St. Helena, Calif. have a different outlook on bonuses.
They gave every employee a gigantic fresh Turkey for Thanksgiving. (Not a small undertaking since Willie Bird Turkeys hover around $3.00 a lb.) When an employee conveyed the story of the generosity, she wiped away a tear as she told me how much that turkey meant to her.
It made her appreciate her boss more than any other restaurant she ever worked in, trumping even her experience at Thomas Keller's Bouchon, where she had worked for a year.
Little Things with a Big Impact
Bonuses, whether you enjoy giving them or not, are part of every holiday season. And even though you may not be able to load up on the special gifts for employees, you can make even the smallest gesture special.
An easy gift to give your employees is a dinner for two at a neighboring restaurant. It's the owners' greatest perk – being able to trade dinners with another owner. Simply find a restaurant in your neighborhood having similar menu prices and propose a gift certificate exchange - enough for your employees and an equal amount for the swapping owner's employees. By proposing this you not only solve your bonus dilemma but also the one your neighbor faces.
If dinner for two at a competitor's restaurant makes you quiver, think about giving a paid day off for each of your employees. Print a certificate explaining the gift, make the redeemable date months ahead and you will receive a lot of "great gift" comments from your staff.
A holiday party is difficult to host before the holidays end, so let everyone know the holiday party is in January. For some reason, restaurant employees like to bowl. Find a bowling alley, propose a trade and your party is planned, complete with pizza, beer, and camaraderie. Your staff will be thankful you care.
I am not suggesting that bonuses make you a good boss or a bad one. But I am suggesting there are creative ways to do it without spending the chicken man's money.
Not only will it make you feel great, it will make your employees realize you care.
And during the holidays, that's a great message to send.
