Blog Post: Re-evaluating employee benefits

Summer is here and with it, comes the reorganizing of the schedule to accommodate summer camp schedules, vacations, and other summer regulars. For employers with children, the saga started earlier this year in preparation for the two plus months of children at home. A little research and a lot perseverance paid off - summer camp for the kids will help maneuver the summer schedule and maintain the work schedule in balance. This year, with the changes in the economy, the challenges were plenty.

As an animal lover, I have yet an added challenge to the summer schedule. Taking a short trip requires additional coordination - family, friends, and even professional dog walkers will come in handy. The cost is also up this time around. Taking pets on a trip is doable but will limit the places we can stay and the traveling mode.

In my research this year, I came across an awesome company that will work with my needs and help me coordinate this very important aspect of the home front. However, it took a lot of time - and effort, to find a suitable option. In other states, companies do provide access to discounts and even pet insurance. I  welcome this type of employee benefit in my or any company. With over 65 million pets, I venture to speculate many employees will welcome this type of benefits at the workplace as well.

Work-life balance is so important. Reduced stress can certainly improve performance in the workplace. Throughout the U.S., employers are always looking for strategies to increase employee productivity. Special courses, motivational speakers, team building exercises, the list goes on and on. In times of economy change, budget changes may restrict the availability of these programs at the workplace. However, I bet that simple and small (but tangible) changes - like providing a referral or discount services to other services like pet care, fitness, transportation, will have even a bigger impact on the effectiveness of employees in the workplace. Be good to your employees.

Have a "pawsitively" awesome summer.

Other local resources:

http://www.fetchpetcare.com

http://totallydog.com

http://www.campcanineflorida.com