[ROTMetro]

What you are referring to is a zombie business. It does not offer enough value so it can only survive via low wages, something that is not guaranteed and is externally controlled. I think banks should does including this measure when it comes to financing. If have to pay your people below market wages to survive you don't have a business, you have a zombie that can't only survive as a parasite on others. Figure out how to manage the business or increase your value add or be explicate this is a passion project not a viable business. I cannot buy produce from a farmer for less than it costs them to grow it, but somehow businesses think they can pay people less than it costs to live.

[randomdata]

> If have to pay your people below market wages to survive you don't have a business

How does one pay below market wages? Someone's market wage is established by observing what they are being paid. They will always be equal, unless you mean an employer is illegally withholding funds owed to the worker?

> I cannot buy produce from a farmer for less than it costs them to grow it

Haha. As a farmer, I have lost money selling my produce more times than I wish to count. The customer couldn't care less about how much it costs you to produce a product. They are only going to pay what it is worth to them and not a penny more. The secret to a sustainable farm business is understanding how to weather those times when it costs more to grow the food than what the customer will pay.

[TylerE]

Well, probably the most traditional way is to hire for approx market rate... and then given little or no raises/cost of living adjutsments. Bam, 5 years from now, you're well under market rate.

[delfinom]

It's fine, most banks don't directly finance small businesses lmao. They make you take out personal loans instead.