COMPANIES which have performed well despite the global financial crisis have been exhorted to reward their employees for sacrifices made during the past year.

Many workers responded to calls by bosses to help them keep their businesses afloat in various ways, such as accepting pay cuts, a shorter work week and taking no-pay leave.

Now that the economy is on the mend, better-performing firms should not forget to reward their employees.

If managements fail to keep their side of the bargain, employees will find it difficult to cooperate and make sacrifices in future when their companies are in dire straits.

However, not all businesses are out of the woods yet as a full recovery cannot be expected so soon, especially at a time when economic factors are not wholly favourable.

There are both companies which have remained in the doldrums, as well as those for which business is picking up gradually.

It would be ludicrous for workers of such firms to expect a restoration of salary cuts at the moment.

While firms will take time to recover, those whose business is improving should consider offering their workers a one-off payment.

This would motivate workers to work harder and steer the organisation towards an even better performance.

Mutual understanding and trust between employers and employees are the keys to a company?s success.

Mr Jeffrey Law Lee Beng

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