In a tight labor market, it can be difficult for small businesses to attract and retain top talent. Offering the right employee benefits is key to standing out in the recruiting world and inspires loyalty and productivity among existing team members. Benefits are critical not only to employees, but also to businesses. For employees, health care and other benefits provide peace of mind and financial stability. For companies, employee benefits are strong recruiting tools that drive loyalty and underscore the value the business places on its people.
Unfortunately, there is no “one size fits all” approach to selecting benefits and every age group has different needs. While in the past, the workforce may have been comprised of three or four generations, some businesses may have as many as five generations employed at the same time, making benefits an even trickier issue for business owners. To complicate matters even more, benefits need to grow and change with employees.
According to the 12th annual U.S. Employee Benefits Trends study from MetLife, 80 percent of respondents say they want benefits that meet and address their evolving needs as they age.
For example, as was previously believed younger Millennial employees would consistently seek out the least expensive health plans available. Whether they had student loans or thought they were young and invincible, they didn’t seem to embrace healthcare consumerism...until now. A recent study by Benefit Focus found HSA participation among Millennials jumped to 76 percent during 2018 - a 40 percent increase from the previous year! Additionally, Millennial HSA contributions also increased between 13-15 percent.
Understanding the needs of each group and demographic in the workplace is the key to developing benefits strategies that will meet everyone’s goals. Achieving this objective also will support the company in recruiting and retaining high-caliber talent.
To best meet the needs of all employees, employers should consider doing the following:
Unfortunately, small to mid-sized business may not have the resources available to do all of this. A professional employer organization (PEO) may become your new best friend and your employees’. One Axcet HR Solutions client underscored the importance of benefits and how we were able to help. “Thanks to Axcet HR Solutions, we now have the ability to provide a great benefits/HR package to potential employees and it allows us to compete in the marketplace for great talent,” explained Don J., vice president for an award-winning Kansas City company with expertise designing trade show booths, corporate displays and museum exhibits.
Here’s how a PEO can help:
Offer the Benefits Employees Want Today
The right benefits package does more than attract talent—it builds loyalty, boosts morale, and drives long-term productivity. Axcet HR Solutions helps small and mid-sized businesses design and deliver competitive, cost-effective benefits that meet employee expectations and support organizational goals.
Written by
Jeanette Coleman, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the Director of Human Resources at Axcet HR Solutions, where she has contributed her expertise for over 21 years.
As a leader in the HR industry, she holds advanced certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Jeanette oversees HR strategy and operations, ensuring Axcet delivers exceptional HR services that help small and mid-sized businesses stay compliant and grow.
With a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Keller Graduate School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kansas State University, Jeanette is well-equipped to lead and support clients in navigating complex HR challenges.
Throughout her 15-year tenure as Director of Human Resources, she has been instrumental in positioning Axcet as the Midwest’s largest and premier Professional Employer Organization (PEO). Her previous roles at Axcet include Director of Employee Benefits and Senior HR Consultant, where she gained extensive experience in HR outsourcing, payroll administration, and employee risk management.
Jeanette’s leadership reflects her deep commitment to helping businesses thrive through strategic, compliance-driven HR solutions. Through her writing, she shares insights on HR strategy, compliance, and best practices to help employers confidently manage their workforce.
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