In today's tight employee market, where employers wage a fierce battle to attract and retain top employees, we'd like to offer some hints about what entices people to join a company, and what keeps them there.

401(k), pensions and savings programs:

The PEO may help place you in an advantageous position in comparison with your "employee competitors," because we make it possible for you to offer your employees savings and retirement plans they might otherwise be without.  In a recent survey conducted by William M. Mercer, Inc. 76% of respondents picked the company retirement or savings plan as a reason they were most attracted to a specific employer (See "Benefits and Organizational Purpose Attract, Retain Employees."  HR Wire.).  If you want to attract great employees, and hang onto them once you hire them, a program which allows your employees to save for their future is indispensable.

Medical coverage:

This is another "no-brainer."  Businesspeople know how valuable a good medical insurance program is to their employees.  It represents peace of mind that many of us are not willing to be without.

"Organizational Purpose":

This was a standout in the survey.  The statisticians were surprised to learn that 64% of their respondents valued a "clear sense of organizational purpose" so much that it would influence their choice of employer.  Clearly, employees like knowing that what they are doing has value and makes a difference in the world.  They like knowing where they're headed.  They like knowing where the company is headed.  It is an intangible benefit, but one that some employers can't offer.  Chances are that you already have a clear set of goals in mind.  Are those communicated to your employees?  We can help you develop a mission statement or a list of business goals that will help you portray a sense of purpose to your employees.  You might be surprised how much it will boost morale.

An appealing work environment: Here's another intangible, but it plays an important role in encouraging people to "come on board."  You expect your prospective hires to make a good first impression.  Do they get the same good impression of the atmosphere at your place of business?  Are your other employees pleasant people in general?  Is there an atmosphere of camaraderie and cheerfulness?  Is your workspace generally clean, or if cleanliness is impossible, is it at least generally well organized?  Possible improvements you might consider might be anything from installing new lighting to a periodic "white glove" award to the individuals who make organizational or aesthetic improvements to their own office space.  You are limited only by your own creativity.  Maybe the company secretary would appreciate new wallpaper or a comfortable "top-of-the-line" office chair more than a plaque commending her for her service.

Other benefits:

Consider adding some of these to your "benefits" package:

• comfortable workspaces
• a no-layoff policy
• on-site child care or referral services
• child or elder care vouchers
• long-term care insurance
• a paid-time-off policy that doesn't favor workers with families over single employees.
• cafeteria benefit plans
• tuition reimbursement or mortgage assistance

If these benefits appeal to you, there's a good chance HR Outsourcing, Inc. assist you in adding many of them to your current package of "perks."  In today's employee retention economy, you can use every advantage.