Now my employees are going to make me cry. I sent a message to them jointly about salaries this week. See how the conversation went.

Hi guys, there is an uncomfortable issue to discuss. Work is not going on as normal. We are barely getting instructions anymore, which means we are barely making any money anymore. What should we do about salaries? Feel free to express yourselves exactly how you feel, please.

Good morning sir. I’ve been meaning to talk about it sir. I perfectly understand the situation… So, for me, I do not mind whatever decision is taken on salaries. I’ll gladly take a pay cut. I speak for myself only on this. Thank you sir.

Good morning Sir, I understand the situation on ground, plus i don’t think I’ve done anything work related this month. Whatever you decide about the salary is fine.

So I reviewed all the responses, used my church mind and came up with my verdict

Hi guys. The truth is that the current situation is not anyone’s fault. You didn’t ask for it and you didn’t see it coming either. Here is what I’ll do. For April, I will pay as expected. If this pandemic continues for subsequent months, we will most likely have a pay slash

I hope this makes sense to you. Since I didn’t prepare you to not get full pay in April, I will find a way and settle you.

I didn’t get a response for a couple of hours. Then came in an epistle

Sir, We have read your decision on the salary payment for April. And we thank you very sincerely for the generous consideration and kind decision. As members of the organisation, we understand the current reality of business in light of the prevailing adverse circumstances.

We conferred with each other and we would like to present our common opinion. While we understand the rationale for your decision, we also considered our contribution for the month. The circumstances were unprecedented, even for the business.

In consideration of the reduction in business engagement for the month and a considerable wane in our productivity and engagement as employees, we appeal for a reduction in our individual salaries. We consider it unfair to the business

and unconscionable on our part to receive full payment knowing full well that we didn’t put it our best this month. If it pleases you sir, we agree to a 30% deduction in our April salary. We also promise to give our best and better commitment to the job subsequently and while this current situation subsists. We will surely do better. The possibility of a temporary salary review, in proportion with the amount of work that we are able to do in these times and from home, should be considered sir.

We are grateful for your kind gesture. We pray that God heals our land and that things get better soon. Thank you sir. God bless you.

Now I’m just here sitting, staring at their message and saying ehn ehn? Iyen emi naa? Needless to add that I will pay full for April. Even if they didn’t earn it before, they have earned it with this conduct. Empathy is key, whether employer or employee.

Now my employees are going to make me cry. I sent a message to them jointly about salaries this week. See how the conversation went.

Hi guys, there is an uncomfortable issue to discuss. Work is not going on as normal. We are barely getting instructions anymore, which means we are barely making any money anymore. What should we do about salaries? Feel free to express yourselves exactly how you feel, please.

Good morning sir. I’ve been meaning to talk about it sir. I perfectly understand the situation… So, for me, I do not mind whatever decision is taken on salaries. I’ll gladly take a pay cut. I speak for myself only on this. Thank you sir.

Good morning Sir, I understand the situation on ground, plus i don’t think I’ve done anything work related this month. Whatever you decide about the salary is fine.

So I reviewed all the responses, used my church mind and came up with my verdict

Hi guys. The truth is that the current situation is not anyone’s fault. You didn’t ask for it and you didn’t see it coming either. Here is what I’ll do. For April, I will pay as expected. If this pandemic continues for subsequent months, we will most likely have a pay slash

I hope this makes sense to you. Since I didn’t prepare you to not get full pay in April, I will find a way and settle you.

I didn’t get a response for a couple of hours. Then came in an epistle

Sir, We have read your decision on the salary payment for April. And we thank you very sincerely for the generous consideration and kind decision. As members of the organisation, we understand the current reality of business in light of the prevailing adverse circumstances.

We conferred with each other and we would like to present our common opinion. While we understand the rationale for your decision, we also considered our contribution for the month. The circumstances were unprecedented, even for the business.

In consideration of the reduction in business engagement for the month and a considerable wane in our productivity and engagement as employees, we appeal for a reduction in our individual salaries. We consider it unfair to the business

and unconscionable on our part to receive full payment knowing full well that we didn’t put it our best this month. If it pleases you sir, we agree to a 30% deduction in our April salary. We also promise to give our best and better commitment to the job subsequently and while this current situation subsists. We will surely do better. The possibility of a temporary salary review, in proportion with the amount of work that we are able to do in these times and from home, should be considered sir.

We are grateful for your kind gesture. We pray that God heals our land and that things get better soon. Thank you sir. God bless you.

Now I’m just here sitting, staring at their message and saying ehn ehn? Iyen emi naa? Needless to add that I will pay full for April. Even if they didn’t earn it before, they have earned it with this conduct. Empathy is key, whether employer or employee.