Boss Gives All Employees $10,001 To Buy From, Support Local Businesses

A Western Massachusetts money manager is giving his employees a very generous holiday bonus in an effort to boost the regional economy amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Allen Harris gave all 11 staff members at Berhshire Money Management $10,001 with the requirement that they spend it at local businesses, the Berkshire Eagle reports. Harris has had a history of generosity, having given his employees a $2,500 bonus with the same emphasis on shopping small in 2019, but increased his efforts after ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the toll its taken on small, local businesses.

Harris told the Eagle employees were asked to "go as 'mom and pop' as you can" when spending the $10,001.

Harris said Berkshire Money Management had a good financial year as it was deemed an essential business and wasn't forced to experience lengthy closures amid the ongoing pandemic. He told the Eagle that he's aware other businesses haven't been as fortunate and are struggling to survive in a difficult economic state.

“We’re fortunately in the latter,” Harris said via the Eagle.

Berkshire Money Management is aiming to expand to South County, where it intends to open an office for an increasing number of residents looking for jobs and homes in metropolitan areas.

The $10,001 gifts come on top of other payments made to employees by the company, which also include a $5,000 gift after the firm ranked as the "best wealth management" business among the Eagle's "Best of the Berkshires" list in 2020. Staffers also received $2,500 when Berkshire Money Management was temporarily closed early in the pandemic, a yearly Community Supporter Agriculture membership worth $500 and other payments, which combined for a total of several thousand dollars.

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