Merit Increase Survey for Fall 2009

We are determining our merit budget for the 2009 performance year and it would be helpful to understand what other companies are forecasting or have budgeted. In particular, we would like to understand the driving factors that influenced the merit percentage. If you would please respond to this email by 8/7/09 with:
- # of Employees
- Merit % budgeted for the 2009 performance year
- Top 3 drivers that influenced your merit budget determination

Results:
Company Merit % Budget (2009)
A 0%
B 0%
C 2.50%
D 3%
E 3%
F 3.50%
G 4%
H 4%
J 4%

AVERAGE (DILUTED): 2.67%
AVERAGE (UNDILUTED): 3.43%

INFLUENCING DRIVERS
The #1 driver cited was achievement of company objectives.
Company budget was #2.
Only 2 companies considered the national economy to be an influencing driver.
External equity, the state of the local economy and the state of the San Diego Life Sciences industry completed the list of drivers.

H1N1 Policies

Q: I am curious to know what type of message to employees or policies you have created to respond to the H1N1 flu.

Any feedback would be great as I am working to create communication to our employees before the end of the summer. We have a very small office with one employee in her 5th month of pregnancy. I want to communicate the importance of staying healthy and address any concerns as it pertains to sick leave (if they have used it all by this point, etc).

Are you willing to relax your leave policies to accomodate those who exhibit flu symptoms? Are you mandating a specific time frame in which they stay home if they are sick? Are you requiring a Dr.s note that shows they are not infected with H1N1 before returning to work if they do have indeed have the flu? Are you allowing for any work from home that your policy would not normally allow, for example, parents required to stay home to care for their children?

Feel free to add your responses to this question by clicking the Comments link below.

Got Intranet?

Q: We would like to build an Intranet for our company, and we are looking for a cost effective solution (free if possible). Does your organization have an Intranet? Do you or your IT Dept have any recommendations for vendors or sources?

A: Feel free to add your responses to this question by clicking the Comments link below.

Board Member Equity Guidelines

Q: We are looking to establish more formalized guidelines for board member equity. I will send out responses to all who participate. Thank you in advance for your participation.
• Do you have formal equity guidelines for board memebers?
• Please describe for 1) non-investors 2) investors 3) founders
• Please indicate if you also provide cash.

Please feel free to comment on this article!

Policy on eating in labs?

Q: Does your company allow employees to eat or drink in the labs? If so, what are your rules? Are there specific health or GLP rules that dictate what companies must do regarding this subject?
Thank you for your input.