This is in response to the article published on Sunday, July 26, titled “What’s on your Resume?”

I agree with nearly everything in the article, but want to add a comment or two. Another problem with attracting quality workers is lack of quality compensation.

When you buy meat, you pay a premium for better quality cuts; round steak is much cheaper than filet.

If you want fine quality dining, you pay a premium.

If you want high quality workers what do you do? Try to pay as little as possible. Of course, everyone wants the biggest bang for their buck, but if you want good, loyal workers, begin by setting forth your standards.

Tell them from the beginning what you expect but also let them know what they can expect from you. If they go above and beyond, reward their efforts. If you think you pay well, check the U.S. Census figures. Mississippi is the last state on the list.

I have heard the comment that it is cheaper to live here. While this may be true of some of the larger metropolitan areas, do some research and compare Natchez with other towns our size areas. The Census Bureau has a list of those too. Check areas of the same size, demographics and general location, i.e. areas with no nearby interstate access, 50 or more miles to a metropolitan area and the nearest airport of any meaningful size.

It takes some doing, but I have been looking at this for over a year. It is not always cheaper to live here. Another form of compensation is benefits. A number of employers in this area might need a definition for that word. I am not sure they have ever heard it.

Yes times are hard. One employer in Natchez gave each of the employees a copy of this article.

I would like to ask that employer, when was the last time you increased your prices? You say you increase prices because costs go up. When was the last time you increased our wages? Our costs have gone up also.

I have been employed for five years. Not once in those five years have I been offered a raise. Not even one dime. I have never had one day of paid vacation.

Do you offer paid vacation? How about sick leave, health insurance, life insurance, retirement benefits? How many times did you bother to say “thank you” when an employee dropped everything at the last minute and reported to work because someone else did not?

How many times have your employees bought, or brought from home, items to use for your business? Pens, pencils, markers, staplers, flashlights, ashtrays, decorations, etc. How many times did you ask someone to re-do inventory because other people did not do the job correctly? How many times did you discuss tasks not done by others? Did you perhaps pay someone more because they were more capable, or because they went that extra mile?

Do you know why I stopped caring? I stopped and began to “just do my job” because you quit caring about me.

But at least I did do my job. I never quit doing my job; I just quit “going the extra mile” because it did not matter to you. If it had, you would have, at the least, said thanks.

Now, to all employers, ask yourself: “Am I doing the best I can for my employees so they will do their best for me?

Maybe you can’t afford to hand out raises, but do you ever hand out a compliment or thank you?

No, they cannot be used to pay bills, but it will do a lot to show us employees that even though you cannot afford to pay us more, you at least appreciate our commitment.

Frances Schwager

Natchez resident