Something for the weekend: US glass manufacturing organisation BenShot has opted to reward its employees' good work this Christmas by gifting each of them a handgun.
Ben Wolfgram, co-owner of the Wisconsin organisation known for using bullets in its glass designs, said the choice of present was based on an effort to promote personal safety and team building.
BenShot has given staff a gift card with which to purchase a gun, rather than give them the weapon directly.
Two of the employer's 16 full-time staff, some of whom are military veterans, initially declined the gift. However, they are now considering accepting it after attending a compulsory gun safety course arranged by BenShot.
Wolfgram said that most employees were excited at the prospect of such an unusual reward. Chelsea Priest, a BenShot employee, told the Applewood Post-Crescent that she felt empowered by the gift, which she believes will keep her safe.
The cost of the gift cards totalled around $8,000 (£6,263). Wolfgram thinks the price is worth it, however, saying: "For us, now, we have an entire armed staff. I think that's pretty good."
He added: "We are a small, close-knit team at BenShot. I want to make sure all of our employees are safe and happy, and a handgun was the perfect gift."
Here at Employee Benefits, we will be celebrating Christmas in a very different way, and we think there are far better methods of promoting personal safety and team building...
