As a small business owner, you likely understand how challenging it can be to attract and retain the best employees. It’s equally challenging to provide employee benefits that are comparable to those offered by larger corporations. However, you are not alone in this pursuit. Several employment assistance programs exist to help small businesses offer impressive employee benefits within their budget. These programs offer affordable options such as tax credits, training resources, and job placement services. Whether you’re looking to improve employee retention or attract new talent, here is a guide to helping your small business with employment assistance programs.
Get Educated on Employment Assistance Programs
One of the easiest ways to get started is by understanding which employment assistance programs exist at your disposal. Fortunately, the Department of Labor provides free resources to small businesses looking for job training and business services. Many of these services offer federal tax credits to companies that employ individuals from target groups, such as ex-offenders or veterans. Additionally, many states have their own programs that may offer tax credits for local businesses.
Develop Your Business’s Training Programs
If you are interested in developing your employee training programs, you may consider applying for government grants. The government offers grants to help small businesses develop training programs. These grants are available through the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. When creating your training programs, ensure that they align with the specific needs of your employees and business. This will help you obtain the most value from your training programs.
Review Your State’s Programs
Several state-run employment assistance programs provide tax incentives and other benefits to small businesses. Fortunately, these programs cater to businesses of all sizes. For example, Illinois and Georgia run programs that offer tax credits to small business owners who hire new employees in their workforces. Texas has a training and development fund designed to assist small businesses interested in providing employee training benefits without using their budget. Review your state’s programs to learn more about the options available for you.
Partner With Local Nonprofits
Several non-profit organizations offer job training and placement services to small businesses. Some of these nonprofits focus on helping businesses hire new employees, while others help train existing staff members. If you are interested in partnering with non-profit organizations that can provide job training services that benefit your employees, reach out to your local Chamber of Commerce. They may be able to connect you with the best non-profit organizations in your area.
Implement an Employee Assistance Program
After developing your employee benefits programs, you must ensure they work. An employee assistance program (EAP) is an effective tool that can improve employee wellness and productivity. An EAP provides counseling, legal advice, financial assistance, and other resources to employees who are dealing with personal or work-related issues. This program, run by a third-party entity, can help employees resolve pressing matters outside work that might otherwise have affected their productivity or relied on your internal resources.
When seeking to bolster your employee benefits without hurting your bottom line, employment assistance programs are an excellent resource for small business owners. Keep in mind that these programs may take time to implement successfully and may require a financial investment. However, once you’ve aligned your employee benefits programs with your employees’ and business needs, you’ll notice productivity and retention rates go up. Partnering with local non-profit organizations, developing employee training programs, researching your state’s programs, and integrating an employee assistance program are all critical steps towards offering affordable and quality employee benefits for small businesses.
