Recognize This: Companies are sitting on record profits, but with no change in sight for their people practices.

How flush are you feeling right about now? If you celebrate Christmas, your wallet is likely feeling quite a bit lighter or you’re waiting in dread for the Christmas present bill to come due in the new year. The harsh reality of the last two years feels much the same for many of us, but not for the corporations.

CBS MoneyWatch reported companies have experienced seven consecutive quarters of profit growth and, in the third quarter of 2010, made more money than in the 60 years the Commerce Department has been tracking this data.

Are you feeling the benefit of any of that profit? I doubt. The article goes on to report companies are sitting on the cash, more concerned with “Increasing shareholder value than the public good.”

Many would argue companies are simply following the mandate of why they exist – to make money for shareholders. I disagree. I believe companies exist to do both. It’s only logical. You can’t make money without the brains and brawn behind what you’re selling. It follows that if you look out for the “public good” by doing right by your employees, by reinvesting in them, by restoring pay levels and staff cut during the recession, by showing your employees how much you appreciate them.

Give employees a real gift this holiday season. Return to reason in your people practices.Show your employees you know they can’t keep up this pace forever. Express your appreciation for their herculean efforts and reward them appropriately.