Using Your Benefits Package to Entice New Employees:

Many small business owners are not aware that they can attract new employees simply by advertising the benefits that their group health plan can offer. There are many ways that you can take advantage of this marketing technique.

As the rates of the uninsured increase, and health coverage becomes more expensive, many people are basing their new job selection on the availability of a group health plan. Don't lose this opportunity to find qualified applicants.

Here are some methods that you can implement to increase awareness of your group health plan.

Mention your group health coverage in your classified. If you use classified ads to find new employees, you can insert a little mention of your group health plan in this advertising. Even though you may need to pay a little more for adding this to your ad, you will be able to attract new applicants much easier.

Include a flyer with your application. If you have new employees that come into your place of business to fill out an application, you can use a flyer to inform them of your group health plan and the benefits that it offers. This is an inexpensive way to spread the word to new applicants about your group health coverage.

Put up a sign. Sometimes, something as a small as a sign that reads, "Ask us about our group health plan," can go a long way towards finding new applicants. This is also a great reminder to new applicants that you do have a benefits package ready for them.

Try some incentives. If you are in great need of new employees, you can check with your group health insurance provider on any upcoming grace periods that your new employees can use to sign up for the health plan without any exclusion period. This is a great way to convince someone who is on the fence about accepting a job with your company. You may also be allowed to offer a specific discount to your new employees by paying a portion of their premiums for a specified period of time. This technique can be a little more dangerous, particularly if it upsets your current employees. Most discrimination rules state that if you offer a discount to one employee, you may have to offer it to all.

Provide documentation about your plan. In many cases, once people see the level of coverage they will get with a group plan, it can help them make up their minds about accepting a position. If you have a great deal of benefits in your group health plan, you can provide a description of coverage to potential employees to assist them in learning more about your health plan.

Offer to answer questions. If an applicant has a question about a group health plan, they may not feel as though they can start badgering you for answers. Offer to provide any information or clarification about your group health plan before the interview process is over. You will need to read up on your policy beforehand to ensure that you are prepared.

These are just a few ways that you can maximize your success in attracting new employees. Your insurance company may be able to provide you with specific information or documentation that will assist you in this process or give you new ideas on how you can take advantage of this way to find new applicants.

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