We've all heard of the fancy corporate campuses offering employees everything from on-site doctors to state-of-the-art sports facilities. These perks sound incredible… and expensive. In a competitive job market, elaborate benefits help attract and retain employees. Job seekers often prioritize companies that provide comprehensive benefits as part of their compensation package. Additionally, a robust benefits package can contribute to a positive company culture. It sends a message that the organization cares about its employees' well-being, fostering a sense of community and shared values.
As a small business owner, offering employees tailored and all-encompassing wellness benefits is still possible. It's about more than the standard health benefits for small business employees. You can also provide a level of care that is highly personalized and exceeds your employees' expectations–here's how.
Tips for Offering Small Business Benefits to Employees
Competing against giant corporations for talent may be intimidating if you're a small business. Elaborate benefits may seem out of reach, but they don't have to be. To provide your employees with enticing and valuable benefits, don't hesitate to:
- Think outside the typical benefits box
- Tailor your wellness offerings to your employees' needs
- Create stronger connections
- Ask for feedback and suggestions
- Focus on the thoughtful perks
1. Explore all employee benefit options
Regarding employee benefits, health insurance is usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, consider a wide range of traditional and non-traditional options as your small business builds out its benefits package for employees. You can incorporate different programs and activities into your benefits package that align with what your business can afford. For instance, some perks may include volunteer time off, seasonal activities, professional and leadership development, hybrid or remote work options, commuter benefits, flexible hours, and more.
2. Use your small workforce to your advantage
Small businesses often have more intimate relationships with their employees than larger companies. This closer connection means that leadership better understands their team's personal lives, obligations, and needs. With this visibility, businesses can allocate their wellness budget more effectively to address tailored needs and wants.
3. Foster a sense of belonging and connection
Providing the right employee benefits is a powerful strategy to create a sense of belonging and connection within a workplace. When employees feel that their well-being is a priority and their needs are cared for, it strengthens the emotional bond between them and the organization. You can achieve this by providing your employees with gear, such as apparel and technology, or organizing social events, like races, walk-a-thons, and sports leagues.
Additional benefits include policies that consider individual needs, like family or dog-friendly policies, mental health resources, family planning assistance, and more. The more employees you involve, the stronger the sense of belonging and connection will be, resulting in increased workplace camaraderie.
4. Welcome feedback from your employees
As a small business, you have the advantage of being able to ask your employees about their interests and preferences regarding wellness. This approach helps small business owners better understand their employees, in turn making them feel valued and improving their loyalty. Also, small businesses face fewer bureaucratic hurdles when implementing wellness programs than large corporations, making it easier to implement wellness initiatives and analyze the results more efficiently.
5. Focus on thoughtful perks
Incorporating more thoughtful offerings into your employee benefits can enhance the workplace experience. Providing a selection of fresh fruits, snacks, and beverages in the office can contribute to a comfortable work environment. Additionally, stress-reducing products, ergonomic furniture, and home-office allowances for remote employees can improve the workspace.
Sharing resources on health and wellness, such as articles, webinars, or access to fitness apps, demonstrates a genuine concern for employees' health. For example, ClassPass's Corporate Wellness Program allows companies to give employees the freedom to choose their preferred fitness or wellness activity through a network of studios, gyms, and wellness venues worldwide. Employees have the flexibility and freedom to choose the best fitness regimen for them and their personal needs. It also opens up health and wellness options for employees who work remotely or don't visit the office frequently.
Bring exciting benefits to the table
Your employee benefits program for your small business can say a lot about your company's culture and values. It is essential to take the time to understand which benefits would be most valuable to your team to increase overall employee satisfaction and retention.
Learn more about how your small business can significantly impact employees' well-being by offering a comprehensive corporate wellness program with ClassPass.
