Companies should pay bonuses to employees with lower wages in particular – and defend this against the high earners in the workforce.
(Photo: picture alliance/dpa)
The good news is that many companies are willing to pay their employees an inflation premium in view of the high inflation. The announcement by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz that a one-time payment of up to 3,000 euros should remain tax-free should have made this easier.
But just as many companies are still hesitating or refusing payments. They refer to unclear conditions of tax exemption. In addition, it is said that in this economically challenging situation it is dangerous to weaken the company’s strength with special payments.
Of course, there are companies that really can’t afford it at the moment. But for all other employers, such a bonus would be money well spent.
During the pandemic, many companies paid their employees a corona bonus. And even then, the situation was confusing, nobody knew how demand would develop and whether the economy would slip into a recession after all.
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But there is a fundamental difference: While the payments during the Corona period were more of a recognition for the work done under the most difficult conditions, many people are really short of money today. With inflation compensation, companies can provide real help in everyday life in the face of sharply increased spending on food and energy.
Inflation premium: Companies shouldn’t water themselves
But precisely because this is about support and not about general recognition, companies should take a very close look at which employees really need such a bonus. The companies must not repeat the mistake of the federal government and make distributions with the watering can. Instead, they should supplement low incomes in a very targeted manner.
Then they should have the courage to explain to high-earning engineers or IT specialists why they might not get such a bonus: so that there is a little more available for the lower income groups. Especially in times of crisis, solidarity must also be demanded from those who are even better off.
The nice thing is that when a company supports its employees in a difficult situation and gives them the signal that they are not alone, it can create a great deal of loyalty. An inflation premium in times of labor shortages can also be an investment in the future of the company.
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