In your replies to at least two peers, address the following questions:

• What specific initiative, practice, or change to your peer's evaluated practice could improve community or employee support?
• What are the benefits and risks of implementing your suggested initiative, practice, or change?
• If you were the primary decision-maker, would you implement your suggested initiative, practice, or change? In other words, do you feel the benefits outweigh the risks? Why or why not?

First Statement to reply to:

Employee benefits are minimal; there is little paid time off or sick time available.

Employee benefits can become a costly expense for employers when considering benefit plans. Some companies may also not offer benefits due to potential liability they may hold, as stated in FindLaw's article "Pros and Cons: Offering Employee Benefits," "mistakes made in benefit plans can lead to costly lawsuits, or to regulatory fines" (FindLaw, 2018). Some businesses may not have anticipated their employees need benefits because they are a small company, but further expanding. Mainly though, it is an expense that can deter business owners away.

However, if businesses invest in their employees, it can lead to greater morale and productivity among employees. If you invest in your employees and their well-being "helps attract and retain quality employees" (FindLaw, 2018). If word begins to spread that a company has great benefits and maintains the well-being of their employees, then more people will be drawn to that company. However, without the benefits package, negative word of mouth can also spread about that business which leads people from not applying or working for that business.

FindLaw. (2018, January 17). Pro and cons: Offering employee benefits. Findlaw. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://www.findlaw.com/smallbusiness/employment-law-and-human-resources/pro-and-cons-offering-employee-benefits.html

Second Statement to reply to:

A business doesn't give back to the local community in any way.

One factor that can contribute to this is a lack of understanding of the community. If the company doesn't understand the culture of the community they may be reluctant to give back to that community for fear of their actions being misinterpreted or misunderstood.

Some potential negative consequences would be a lack of trust or loyalty from both employees and the community which in turn will affect the success of the business. If people don't feel that the company cares about it's employees or the community in which it operates, they will be less inclined to continue to do business with that company.

All businesses benefit from being more friendly towards their employees and communities because it inspires loyalty to the company which in turn affects their bottom line when people are interested in doing business with them and continuing to purchase products or services from them.