Small Business Employee Benefits Programs
Small business employee benefits programs are often quite sparse. This is particularly true for small businesses employing women of child bearing age. Maternity benefits are just too expensive for most small businesses to offer to employees. Consider some of the unique challenges:
- Health care costs are higher - normal pregnancies drive up costs of care, while complications and premature birth drive expenses off the charts. Fill holes with supplemental maternity insurance.
- Maternity pay is unrealistic - many small businesses can't pay someone who is not working. Allow employees to purchase short term disability for maternity leave.
- Legal compliance is complex - There are a variety of maternity leave regulations that may apply.
Voluntary employee benefits are a great way for small businesses to provide a robust set of maternity benefits to attract female employees, without adding to direct cost.