Small business owners know one of their biggest challenges is holding onto valued employees. Even in recessionary times, no one wants to see a highly trained employee walk out the door.
Generally, the big things — prevailing wage, insurance packages, vacations, paid holidays — tend to be similar across any given market. Providing a cheerful, low-stress work environment is frequently counted as a high-ranking perk. And all the other large favored benefits cost a lot of money.
So what’s a small businessperson to do to retain quality workers without breaking the bank?
There’s always making yourself more available for a little one-on-one time with employees who thrive on that kind of attention. And even those who seem self-sufficient can sometimes really use a friendly ear, even if it’s not necessarily a work-related issue. An open-door policy may help. Encouraging employees to approach you with solutions to workplace challenges may solve problems you weren’t aware of and reveal a creative-thinking employee.
Can’t afford paid days off as a rule? Maybe using them once in a while as a reward for someone who’s gone above and beyond the call of duty might inject a little unexpected joy into the day, while not going overboard on something you can’t afford. If you keep it rare, it also stays extra special.
Let’s see what some of your colleagues are doing to keep their employees feeling valued … while keeping more of their own value in the bank.
Paul Cooley says higher wages are meant to offset the company’s inability to pay for health insurance coverage for workers. “We’re on our own, too,” he says, referring to his own family’s insurance plan. “Let’s hope we don’t have to go there. It’s just so expensive. But that’s why our wages are so generous, hopefully to make up for that.”
Company-wide, he says probably the best benefit is the provided uniforms. “Everybody gets shirts, and they wear jeans.” Asked if Paul’s Potties offers flex time or anything similar, he says no, but the small company is working toward offering paid vacation time. One other benefit? “A couple of our employees drive a company vehicle, which is a nice perk for them.”
Bob Viox heads the portable restroom division for Rumpke Consolidated Companies Inc. Each of several Rumpke divisions operates as a separate company within the larger business. As for the portables division, says Viox, employees receive a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid holidays off and 10 days paid vacation annually. Viox says furnished work gear or the many annual company get-togethers might be the most popular low-cost perks for employees.
“We supply uniforms — shirts, caps and a gift card each year to buy pants — and all their personal protective equipment,” he reports. Viox feels this creates a sense of company pride and cohesion that contributes to a teamwork attitude. But he thinks there’s an equal sense of teambuilding through Rumpke’s company gatherings.
“Each year, we throw a Christmas party, two to three (smaller division) cookouts, as well as the larger, full company employee picnic,” he explains. “It definitely builds morale. Everybody gets together and has a good time. Yeah, the common bond is work, but you also see the whole person, maybe their wife and kids. And they see you, the person they talk about when they go home at night. It’s kind of neat to get everybody together like that.”
