"We had to be more innovative and crafty, " says Pierce, who has looked at 25 deals in the past year, often in small cities where the cost of living and employee turnover are low.

FORBES: The Race To Embrace

These consequences translate into underperformance, on-the-job accidents, and high employee turnover all of which cost employers money.

FORBES: How Employers Can Run Predatory Lenders Out of Business (and Why They Should)