Fewer year-end bonuses, gifts

Regarding that year-end bonus, for many -- forget about it.

Only 31 percent of employers responding to a survey said they plan to hand out year-end bonuses this year, down from 44 percent last year.

The survey of small-business owners from American Express Open also found that fewer employers plan to give workers gifts. Thirty-five percent plan to do so, down from 46 percent. There will be fewer raises as well. Sixteen percent plan to hand them out, down from 30 percent.

As for giving time off during the holidays, 47 percent said they will, the same as last year.

Workers aren't the only group feeling the bite of weak economic times. Small business owners are cutting back on gift giving to customers as well. Forty-seven percent of survey respondents said they'll give customers gifts, down from 52 percent.

Francine Knowles