[tarpden]

I think these basics are most important:

* don't constantly push to have your employees stay late

* if you need your employees to travel, while they're away don't pressure them to work more than their usual work day.

* don't disrespect and be a jerk to your employees

* provide reasonable sick and vacation benefits

[danielweber]

* Automatically raise their pay every year. It doesn't necessarily need to keep up with market, but they need to know that they aren't being suckers by staying at the job.

[makr17]

this! I can't begin to tell you the number of bad managers I've seen offer the competitive pay rise only _after_ they've been given notice. that just drives home how completely you've been screwing me up until this point...

edit: ok, perhaps not screwing me. but if you know I can make significantly more elsewhere, you shouldn't act shocked when I take the opportunity...

[patmcc]

Bingo. Companies should have (at least) two mechanisms for raising pay: a 1 to 3% (tied to some measure of inflation) increase everyone gets, and a variable rate tied to their performance/company success/etc.

[vacri]

don't constantly push to have your employees stay late

My favourite is 'flexible work hours' that always seems to stack in the company's favour. Work a 12-hour day yesterday? Go home an hour earlier today... if that.

[danielweber]

"Core hours are 8 to 5."