Was thrilled to read this news item from a caring employer in the US. A good news story hopefully to counteract the doom and gloom that pervades the news. If only there were more of them! The news item extracts are below:

IDAHO FALLS – Eastern Idaho’s largest private employer made a big announcement Wednesday concerning its employees and the nations tough economic conditions.

“We’re promising our employees no layoffs. Not today, not tomorrow, not next month, not ever,” said Melaleuca President and CEO Frank L. VanderSloot.

VanderSloot knows economic times are tough but his employees don’t need to worry about their jobs.

“Part of our business model is enhance the lives of those we touch by taking care of people and helping them reach their goals and it’s our employees that we owe our biggest responsibility too,” said VanderSloot.

Wednesday afternoon VanderSloot spoke to his 2500 Eastern Idaho workers about the company’s economic conditions and even though things are generally good, Melaleuca is feeling the pinch too.

“Our bottom line is being strained,” said VanderSloot. “Even though we’re growing on the top line, expenses are hitting us like they’ve never hit us before.”

But that doesn’t stop the company from taking care of their employees as they gave out 1.7 million dollars in cash to long term workers as part of a new incentive program.

“We’ve given out, just in the last eight months, over eight million dollars in longevity bonuses,” said VanderSloot.

Employees receive 5000 dollars on their five year anniversary, 10,000 on their 10 year, 20,000 on their 20, and on up.

It’s a way to reward workers for their dedication and willingness to help a growing company…especially in tough economic times.

“We’ll be here a long time…we believe for generations…if we take care of our long term employees,” said VanderSloot.