The staff at Linhart PR surely appreciates the monthly chat ’n’ chew breakfasts with senior management and the weekly Beer Friday gatherings, but few things show appreciation like fair compensation. In its annual employee satisfaction survey, team members said that the top-ranked benefit was Linhart PR’s cash bonus program, which recognizes their work and the results of that work.
Linhart PR pays a quarterly cash bonus to all permanent non-partner employees based on 20% of the agency’s net income. In 2010, the agency paid nearly $130,000 in bonuses. In addition to the quarterly bonuses, Linhart PR closes for a week during the holidays, giving employees extra time off with pay. This all provides staffers more than just financial health—it gives them a personal stake in the future of the agency.
“A key characteristic of our workplace is ensuring team members feel a sense of ownership—knowing that they can make decisions and make a difference in positively impacting their clients and supporting their colleagues,” says Sharon H. Linhart, APR, founder and managing partner. “This starts with team members understanding how their work contributes to the firm and client’s organization in meaningful, tangible ways. It also involves rewarding, recognizing and celebrating their efforts.”
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| The Linhart Public Relations team. Missing from the photo: SVP and partner Paul Raab and CFO and partner Carri Clemens. |