Become A Top-Notch Employer: 9 Tips
 By Alex R. Merriman

As a small-business owner, you can’t compete with the expensive employee benefit plans that big corporations offer. But you can provide generous benefits that workers value.

Whether you have one employee or a handful, whether your labor budget is large or small, here are nine perks you can offer to spice up your benefit plan. Choose the ones that will work best in your small business.

1. Provide direct deposit
Offer to direct deposit employee paychecks. It saves employees time because they don’t have to run to the bank.

2. Give employees titles
Titles give employees a sense of professionalism and pride. You can opt for traditional titles, such as Senior Sales Associate or Manager of Customer Service. Or, if your business atmosphere permits, you can choose less traditional titles. A graphic design firm might have a Chief Creative Genius. A retail firm could have a Top Problem Solver. You could even let employees choose their own titles that reflect the scope of their jobs.

3. Print employee business cards
Give employees business cards imprinted with their names and titles. Again, this reinforces their professionalism. It also shows you value their efforts and loyalty.

4. Offer wellness help
Anything you can do to help keep your employees healthy will give you double payback. Your employees will appreciate the cost savings. Your business will benefit from fewer absences and higher productivity.

Offer to pay for a membership at a gym or at least split the cost with your employee. For convenience, look for a fitness center or a YMCA close to your business location. If your employees participate in city sport leagues, offer to pay their sign up fees or contribute to uniform costs.

5. Provide training
It’s easier than you think to provide skills training for your employees. Online classes, Web seminars and courses at local community colleges offer training at low cost. Don’t overlook training in soft skills, such as conflict resolution, communication and time management. As your employees improve their skills, they’ll become better workers. And they’ll appreciate the investment you’re making in their careers.

6. Pay for memberships
Encourage employees to participate in professional organizations and trade associations. Pay their membership dues. You’ll elevate their level of professionalism, and they’ll absorb new ideas that can help your business succeed.

7. Give company discounts
Helping employees save a little money can mean a lot. Give workers the most generous discount you can afford on your products and services. If your business can’t swing discounts throughout the year, set aside an Employee Purchase Day. Let your workers choose one or two items to purchase at a discount.

8. Make life easier
Just like you, your employees are pressed for time. Anything you can do to relieve the pressure will be seen as a perk. Arrange with a dry cleaning service for pick up and delivery of dry cleaning at your place of business. Have a mobile mechanic come to your business and perform oil changes on employee vehicles. The employees pay for these services, but you help workers save time by bringing the services to them.

9. Offer Paid Time Off
Veer away from the tradition of providing two weeks of vacation and five days of sick leave. Instead, give employees a certain number of paid days off each year. Allow them to use those days for whatever purpose they choose: vacation, sick time, elder care, child care, mental health day, volunteer activities. This system gives employees more control over their time, and will help reduce those last-minute absences that put a strain on your small business.

(Posted November 2004)

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