Even In Downturn, Employee Morale Stays High At Some Firms Mission statements and respect for employees among keys, say execs.(LEADERS & SUCCESS)(MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL COMPANY)

Byline: STEVE WATKINS

Times are tough. Companies are freezing salaries, slashing jobs and cutting corners.

Employee morale at many places is falling into the dumper as a result. But some companies have escaped that fallout, even if they've done just as much cutting.

How have they kept morale high?

"It has to do with the company and how they treat people," said Mitch Potter of consulting firm William M. Mercer Inc. "Some companies understand that very well, and others do not. But employees understand it completely."

When the economy's slump hit, software firm Autodesk Inc. looked for ways to avoid layoffs. It succeeded, partly by making all employees take a week of vacation around July 4. The time was paid, but the company saved money on other costs that week. The workers appreciated the company's effort.

"Instead of sacrificing employees, we tried to reach a compromise," said Fred McAmis, Autodesk's director of training and organization development.