At this time of the strongest employment market in 50 years, particularly for a small business, it is challenging to attract and retain the most talented professionals.
Small businesses must compete with large companies and even huge corporations within the same talent pool.
Potential employees expect far more from an employer than ever before, from flexible work hours, working from home options to emotional well-being and lifestyle benefits.
Lifestyle Benefits
Wellness or Lifestyle Benefits are often part of employment packages offered by large companies.
The list of benefits offered under this category are often endless! These “stipends” also referred to as “Lifestyle Spending Accounts” can cover anything from gym memberships, music lessons, to dog walking services.
In fact, with so many possibilities there are specific vendors in the market that will design a Lifestyle Wellness plan for large companies and even issue employees with credit cards restricted to lifestyle service providers which have been approved by the Employer.
The Employer gives each employee a monthly dollar amount, for example $150 and the employee can choose from a wide range of services or products that suits their personal situation. This is certainly a nice perk for the employee and the employer shows further commitment by allowing the employee to decide how to spend that stipend.
These typical wellness benefits are generous and in essence the employer is adding $150 per month to the employee’s salary.
Unfortunately, the management time required and costs of providing such a large array of extra employee benefits is often beyond the means of small business owners.
The Shaklee Workforce Wellness Plan
A significant advantage that a small business often has over larger companies is the ability to create their own workplace culture based on the values they have as a business. An idea, taking advantage of this fact is The Shaklee Workforce Wellness Plan
Shaklee is one of the oldest and most respected Companies of premium Health and Wellness products. Their overriding philosophy and commitment is to the physical and emotional wellness of individuals and the wellness of the Earth.
Their mission is to “bring true wellness to the world by investing in nutritional and environmental health for the next generation” building healthier communities and a healthier planet.
Shaklee’s main product categories are in the areas of Nutrition, vitamins, and supplements for example as well as Personal care products and environmentally friendly household cleaning products.
In this case, the Employer would decide on the amount of monthly contribution for each employee that their budget allows. The employee is authorized to spend that dollar amount on any Shaklee products available from their web site, the products being shipped directly to their homes.
Advantages to the Employer
Shaklee’s products are considered among the most premium in the industry and their commitment to the core values around their business distinguishes them from typical manufacturers.
When an employer aligns themselves with Shaklee their employees see by association that they care about the Wellness of their employees and their families, the sustainability of the earth and charity towards others.
More specifically, employees improve their own personal health and wellness leading to fewer sick days, more focus and lower stress levels. Employee morale is improved and a community of wellness among the employees is established. Employee absenteeism is reduced and the level of engagement at work increased.
Small businesses typically do not have funds and personnel resources available for managing complicated Lifestyle benefits programs. The Shaklee Workforce Wellness Plan is very simple to manage as it takes advantage of Shaklee’s existing systems that allow employees to manage this benefit themselves.
So rather than just gifting the employees a monthly dollar amount which is soon forgotten in their pay checks, the employees gets an appreciation at a values level from their employer complimenting the Culture within the business itself.
This program as a “Lifestyle Spending Account” is very simple to manage. The monthly contribution gets added to the employee’s payroll and that is really all there is for the employer to manage. An LSA is very flexible in that and employer is free to decide only a certain group of employees receives this benfit or all of them.
Advantages to the Employee
As described above, the employees recognize that their employer is aligning with Shaklee, a company which manufactures premium products with wellness of individuals and the earth at the heart of their mission.
The employee’s health and of their families as well as the health of their home improves as they use the range of products.
The Shaklee Loyalty program and excellent Website features allow for their education and ease of ordering and receiving of products which are shipped directly to their homes.
The community created within the workplace around this program allows for healthy discussions and sharing of positive experiences and as a result improves their overall experience at work.
