Holly Jolly Bosses [PHIL-OSOPHY]

Employers, listen up! This has been a fiendishly difficult year for your wage earners. It's been a tortuous year on your books, too.

So what, if anything at all, are you planning for your annual holiday get-together? If your staff was given the choice between a socially-distanced holiday party or cash, is there any question which one they'd choose?

As former employers, my wife and I know that employees think cash is king, and it's nonsense to think giving money is impersonal. Nothing could be further from the truth. One of the valuable lessons I learned about owning a business is that your employees want to work in an environment that cares about them. Sure, they'll all complain that they deserve a raise because they work so hard, but your working family wants a boss who gets it, is in touch with their needs, and understand them. Leave your thoughts, please.

Employer-gifted cash bonuses rank numero uno, and of course, a raise is a close second. Forget the party. I think most employees would love to get a nice holiday card that expresses the company's gratitude and says, as a way to show appreciation, they are getting a couple of days off, fully paid.

I have a feeling if Santa left a gift like that, employees would be thrilled.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.