You signed a contract agreeing to put all other needs ahead of yours. Remember?
I know, I know. Your employees drive you crazy. But, what would you do without them? Without them, you would have to deal directly with all those customers that you hate. You would have to find a new thorn in your shoe to replace the one that just fell out. Hey, it's not worth it. Quit wishing things were different. Start settling for what you've got. There is no one out there with a good work ethic. All the good employees have died, or moved out of your market area. Face it. You are stuck with the employees you have. In fact, you OWE them a living ... and it's time to pay up.