More Than Half of Small Businesses Plan to Offer New Employee Benefits in 2019
The 56% of small businesses that plan to offer new employee benefits in 2019 most frequently are introducing paid time off and health benefits. Employers most often introduce new benefits because of employee requests, although the 30% of small businesses without formal HR resources are far less likely to do so.
WASHINGTON, April 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half of small businesses (56%) plan to offer new benefits to their employees in 2019, according to research from Clutch, the leading B2B research, ratings, and reviews firm. Clutch surveyed 529 small business owners or managers to learn about their 2019 employee benefits plans.
Small businesses offering new benefits are most likely to offer paid time off (19%), health benefits (15%), and retirement benefits (11%).
Offering new benefits can reduce employee turnover. These benefits are often less expensive over time than the cost of recruiting and training new employees.
"You've already invested the time, energy, and money to train [your employees]," said Bethany Holliday, director of human resources for Cornerstone Insurance Group & Employer Solutions. "It costs a whole lot less to keep people happy than it does to try and find new people."
Nearly One-Third of Small Businesses Lack Formal HR Resources
Thirty percent (30%) of small businesses do not have formalized HR resources such as an in-house HR staff, outsourced HR functions, or a contract with an HR consultant.
Of companies without dedicated HR resources, only 1 in 10 (10%) offer benefits to their employees. Meanwhile, roughly two-thirds of companies with HR resources (64%) offer benefits to their employees.
Experts say that small businesses are disproportionately likely to have a formalized benefits and HR structure as they grow.
"I think organizations see the value in having an HR person or working with an HR consultant," said Matthew Burr, founder and president of Burr Consulting. "Just to understand how to do certain things and really understand how to execute … I don't think there's an opportunity anymore just to skate by."
Small businesses should be aware of the value of formalizing their HR infrastructure and be open to working with HR consultants.
Small Businesses Most Likely to Offer New Benefits by Employee Request
Nearly one-third of small businesses offering new benefits (30%) are doing so to fulfill employee requests. More than one-quarter (27%) are doing so as a means of improving morale and reducing turnover.
Far fewer companies are offering new benefits because they are required by law (13%) or as a result of union negotiations (9%). HR experts believe that small businesses will continue to respond to their employees' desire for more robust benefits.
"We kind of shifted from paying a lot to now offering a lot of benefits," said Christopher Willatt, founder and owner of AlpineMaids. "HR is really geared toward convincing our employees that this is a great job and doing everything to retain them."
Small businesses need to be prepared to meet employee benefits requests to attract and retain a talented workforce.
Read the full report: https://clutch.co/hr/recruiting/resources/small-business-employee-benefits-2019
For questions about the survey, a comment on the findings, or an introduction to the industry experts included in the report, contact Seamus Roddy at [email protected].
About Clutch
A B2B research, ratings, and reviews firm in the heart of Washington, DC, Clutch connects small and medium businesses with the best-fit agencies, software, or consultants they need to tackle business challenges together and with confidence. Clutch's methodology compares business service providers and software in a specific market based on verified client reviews, services offered, work quality, and market presence.
Contact
Seamus Roddy
[email protected]
(202) 871-8095
SOURCE Clutch
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