Student loan relief

Q. Our associate has more than $80,000 in school debt. She receives a fair salary, but I would like to help her more. Any ideas?

"To make sure you're paying your associate fairly, review 'Salary vs. Production,' (February 2006). If you're paying a fair percentage of her production, she has the ability to generate additional income anytime. With that said, you can give your associate a bonus anytime for whatever reason," says Veterinary Economics Hospital Management Editor Mark Opperman, CVPM, owner of VMC Inc. in Evergreen, Colo. "Why not give her a $1,000 or $2,000 a year bonus at her anniversary date of employment?" He says you could also reward longevity by giving her more for each year she stays—$1,000 the first year, $2,000 the second year, and so on until you reach $5,000 for example.

Mark Opperman