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Suggestions for No Cost to Employer add-on benefits |
RBurd0112
Joined: Oct 29, 2009
Posts: 2 |  Posted: 2009-10-29 12:16
With a bleak economic outlook and the probability of COLA raises being eliminated this year, I am looking for any kind of added benefit to help the employees. With just over 550 folks and a really good package to start with, I'm running out of ideas. Any suggestions?
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nork3
Joined: Feb 12, 2002
Posts: 3876 | Posted: 2009-10-29 12:30
Flextime, 4/10 or 9/9 work schedules. Spot bonuses for superior effort might also be valued, but my experience suggests that every other Friday off is really appreciated and doesnt cost anything to implement.
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hrbth
Joined: Oct 24, 2002
Posts: 1501 | Posted: 2009-10-29 12:48
Yeah I agree wholeheartedly - days off (even unpaid! but paid is better!) are mucho appreciated!
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RBurd0112
Joined: Oct 29, 2009
Posts: 2 | Posted: 2009-10-29 12:50
They would love that...we are a public school system.
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rrupert
Joined: Feb 15, 2006
Posts: 1612 | Posted: 2009-10-29 14:10
I was going to say extra time off too, but that would be hard in a school system.
Do you partner with local businesses? I know our business has started doing things like taking breakfast in an elementary school for the teachers once or twice a year. Or even providing some classroom supplies so that the teachers aren't having to pay so much out of pocket.
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mroberts7
Joined: Apr 11, 2002
Posts: 952 | Posted: 2009-11-02 12:18
You could always ramp up your wellness and employee assistance programs. While these will have some cost, they would be minimal.
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nork3
Joined: Feb 12, 2002
Posts: 3876 | Posted: 2009-11-02 16:48
Rec league teams for teachers? Negotiate a discounted membership rate at a fitness club? Or Costco/Sam's Club?
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bwichser
Joined: Feb 21, 2007
Posts: 1 | Posted: 2009-11-04 12:56
If you're located in a region wher public transportation is offered, you can let employees pay for transportation tax free for a nominal cost.
An employer-offered commuter benefit program saves employees and employers. Check out the senate bill here: http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2009press/prb021209.pdf.
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bakercat1
Joined: Sep 21, 2004
Posts: 1 | Posted: 2009-11-04 13:20
Does anyone have any suggestions for healthcare?
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rdenn
Joined: Nov 04, 2009
Posts: 1 | Posted: 2009-11-04 13:52
You say you are looking for an added benefit "to help the employees". To what end are you focused on helping the employees? Or said differently, in what way will helping the employees, help the business?
In my opinion, the answer to this business focused question will help guide you to the correct people focused answer. By focusing on the benefit to the business, which after all must pay for the benefits and services of its employees, you may be able to justify a more expensive employee benefit, if it truly adds to the business objectives.
And if whatever added benefit you select for employees doesn't strongly suupport the business objectives, then the benefit should't be implemented, no matter how small the cost.
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mroberts7
Joined: Apr 11, 2002
Posts: 952 | Posted: 2009-11-04 18:11
What kind of suggestions in regards to health care? You're not going to find much that's "free". Again, focusing on wellness programs that can be measured and analyzed can provide significant ROI, so in that end, I would say they are no cost.
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pmwerner
Joined: Nov 05, 2009
Posts: 1 | Posted: 2009-11-05 08:18
There are a number of benefits that provide benefits to both the employee and the employer. Adding, for example AFLAC, as a completely employee paid benefit will give your employees access to extra coverage. My company offers short-term disability, accident, disease specified, cancer, and life insurance through AFLAC. The added benefit to the employer is a number of these items can be deducted pre-taxes with will decrease the employees taxable earnings and the company will pay less payroll taxes. In addition, we had contacted local vendors and asked if they provided any employee discount programs. While not all vendors did, we were able to provide at no cost a vision discount program and a prescription discount program.
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mroberts7
Joined: Apr 11, 2002
Posts: 952 | Posted: 2009-11-05 09:31
And do you realize that 27 cents on the dollar are paid out in claims for AFLAC? Employers can properly design conventional disability, accident and life programs on the group platform for a fraction of the cost compared to AFLAC. I don't know about you, but I think my employees would be pretty darn happy if I saved them 50% on their premiums and enhanced their coverage.
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rrupert
Joined: Feb 15, 2006
Posts: 1612 | Posted: 2009-11-10 07:59
Check with your local fitness centers/gyms. I know ours gives the local school district employees a discounted rate.
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