by John L. Ward 

• The oldest working employee just retired – at 102!  He worked for three generations of the Annixter family in Chicago. More than 50 years.  His presence and contributions were acclaimed.
• A mid-sized family company in Thailand had to lay off 100 employees.  For each they provided some “micro finance” to help them consider a self-employed alternative.
• A U.S. family company has a college scholarship fund for the children of employees.
• Another set up an emergency loan fund for employees who face a crisis – major family health complications, house flooded out, etc.

Family firms are often very special places to work.