Are your employees healthy? Happy? Staying?

Today in business, we have one of the toughest economies in many years. In many places, unemployment has been at an all time high. The pool of educated and experienced potential employees is huge. People are going unemployed for anywhere from a year to two years. However, the number of jobs is not increasing.
   Meanwhile, some employers are taking advantage of the economic state and their employees. How are they taking advantage? They are doing it by; offering lower starting salaries, not offering benefits, no paid holidays, few sick days and vacation days, little or no raises, and the list goes on and on. Is it right or fair?
   What is the result of all of this? Many things go through the minds of the employees because of these cutbacks. What goes through their minds and how does it impact employers? Here are a few things that happen as a result of these cutbacks; decreased productivity, increased taken for sick time, increased stress related illnesses, decreased employee loyalty, etc. 
   These actions on both the employer and employee create a dynamic downward spiral that further damages the economy. Where does it end? What can be done to stop it?

Just a few things to think about.