by Umique Artison

Created on: October 01, 2008   Last Updated: October 07, 2008

In today's economy, the ideal workplace is simply having a place to work. Business owners are concentrating on far more significant things such as meeting payroll and managing enormous transportation costs. Employees are occupied with stretching their paychecks and oh, yes...managing enormous transportation costs. With that being said, companies need to be very creative when it comes down to crafting the ideal workplace for their employees; because oftentimes, the bottom line cannot accommodate another drop of red ink.

Here are a few ways that businesses can create a corporate culture that is cost effective for both them and their employees. The end result may not be "GoogleLand" but people will appreciate these minor changes...

1. Telecommute: Most employees can be set up to work from home-at least a few days a week. Most companies already have the technological infrastructure in place that would allow this to happen. The only cost to the company would be the 44 cents per mile they may have to pay to their IT guy for setting up home workstations. The majority of working individuals are computer savvy and even this cost could be eliminated.

2. Flexible work hours: Giving employees the benefit of creating their own work schedules, if nothing else, makes them happy.

3. Shortening the work week: Allowing employees to work longer hours fewer days per week would definitely help them save on gas.

4. Starting an employee assistance fund: Employees could contribute a set dollar amount every pay period and when hardships arise, they can be taken care of. This gives the employee a sense of security...which is priceless today.

5. Hold open forum type town hall meetings: Face it, people need to blow off a little steam every now and then. They need to know that their concerns are being heard. This will help alleviate stress in the workplace.

6. Fresh plants: Decorate the office with fresh plants. They give off oxygen that keeps people alert and vibrant.

See, all it takes is a little imagination because nearly everyone is just thankful to have a job. The only people who are dreaming about the ideal workplace are those who don't.

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