A sing of the times. Press release here:
Layoffs, job cuts, high unemployment rates — these are the kinds of stories Americans are used to hearing these days. A company’s loyalty to its employees seems a distant memory to some. Asheville restaurant, Mayfel’s, wants to change that. The restaurant’s owner still believes in employee appreciation, and she likes to show it. In addition to providing generous health insurance benefits and making an effort to treat her employees well on a daily basis, she holds several parties for her employees and their families each year. The first employee party of 2010 will be the pre-season party to help motivate employees and foster a sense of family before the busy season begins.
“This is an area where small businesses can really step up,” said Loretta Woolley, the Asheville restaurant’s owner. “There’s nothing like having employees who truly care about the business and customers. When a business has that, the employees take a sense of pride and ownership in everything they do, working hard to provide their best efforts on a regular basis. Some businesses, especially larger corporations, forget this. They don’t treat employees like part of the family, they have no loyalty to their employees, and that makes it difficult for their workers to truly care about what they’re hired to do. Instead there’s a looming fear of being let go and having to start over somewhere else, if they’re even lucky enough to find another job. Small business owners can change that and breed a new level of employee loyalty to the company by showing loyalty and respect for them too.”
This year’s pre-season party will be a Boogie Night Disco-Funk Roller Party at the Tarwheels roller rink. Employees and their guests will come in costume and enjoy the combination of skating, socializing, food, and fun. The funny and extravagant Tony the Dance Machine will also be hired for added entertainment.
Like all parties held throughout the year for Mayfel’s employees, the pre-season party will feature contests with prizes from other independently-owned businesses in the Asheville area. “This is about more than a single Asheville restaurant throwing parties for employees,” said Wooley. “Small businesses are the backbone of our city, and we hope to serve as an example of the role small businesses can play in instilling even a tiny bit of trust back into the job market. Corporate America might have made some mistakes, but the small business sector has a chance to make a difference and help improve both attitudes and employment rates.”