6 Ways to Trim Payroll Without Cutting Jobs

Almost half of small business owners polled in a recent survey said they plan to lay off workers, stop raises or offer days off instead of wage increases as a result of the slowing economy, according to this Wall Street Journal article.

But while trimming payroll might seem like the easiest move when times are tough, the article suggests business owners might want to think twice before handing out pink slips. Employees are valuable, especially skilled ones you've trained.

I liked the ideas such as switching up duties (why can't an account supervisor also help empty trash cans?), asking for volunteers who might want an extended amount of unpaid leave for the promise of their job back in a few months, or cutting your work week from five days to four.