tough year for me..... food cost, fuel cost....... I gave all my employees a raise because they worked hard for me even when sales were down and cost were up. I took a pay cut but what am i to do? throw in the towel? never!
That, right there, is what a LEADER does. The guy with all the weight on his shoulders goes out of his way to repay his loyal employees, as he himself takes a pay cut.
Those employees of yours are lucky to have a leader like you, not a shallow, money grubbing self centered boss.
Congratulations for your act of kindness.