How can you boost morale and discourage comp claim filing on a tight budget?

Though it may seem contradictory, in a time of unprecedented downsizing, employee retention becomes more important than ever. The employees who remain following job cuts represent the foundation on which the rebuilding process begins. Employees appreciate perks that establish a friendly climate in the workplace, as well as services that make it easier to balance their work and personal lives. Sometimes, the simplest of measures turns out to be very popular among employees.

Whatever the source of good employee morale, there is a correlation between on-the-job satisfaction and fewer frivolous workers' comp claims. "Happy" employees find fewer excuses to miss work and come back quicker from injuries and illnesses--even if the return is to lighter duty work.

The following is a list of low-cost, on-site services that can be offered as an alternative to the glamorous perks that characterized the excesses of the 1990s, and that are still appreciated by employees:

• On-site banking machines. There is no cost to the company and employees appreciate the convenience and timesaving aspects of having an ATM on the premises;

• Employee-paid fitness centers. Some companies just provide the space for the center while the employees who use it actually pay for it. Employees are happy to pay a fee for the convenience of being able to exercise during lunch or right after work;

• Dry cleaning pickup and delivery services;

• Barbecue grills;

• Reserved parking lot spaces. Employees can leave their cars in designated spots to be picked up for scheduled service and repairs, after which the car would be brought back to the same location.