Next to housing, offering health care coverage to employees is one of the top issues facing employers.
With the high cost of premiums and deductibles, offering full health care coverage is most likely not an option for many of our small businesses.
However, there are now health care options out there that businesses can look at and potentially offer. The Employee Benefit and Retention Forum on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Ross Aragon Community Center is designed to give employers options.
The panel that has been gathered will offer employers a variety of options that might work for their budget.
Our local Archuleta County Public Health Department will be informing the attendees of new services and programs it is offering. While not health care coverage, their services are certainly health care options.
There will also be people and organizations there to speak about affordiable health care coverage.
Have you ever heard of direct primary care? This medical care coverage is certainly a very attractive option for many businesses and for the health care provider as they can offer more personalized, yet affordable medical services. People will be on hand to describe the services associated with this health care coverage.
Many businesses do not know that there are several providers in this community that offer services to our residents based on a sliding payment scale, and representatives will be on hand to describe new services and siding-scale options.
In addition to health care options, has your business thought about offering other types of benefits to those employees that may not want health care coverage or are covered through another resource? We live in a community with a lot of amenities. Can you utilize those resources to your advantage and offer perks to your employees? Yes, you can.
Have you even surveyed your employees to see what types of benefits they might be interested in: soaking passes, a pass to one of the fitness centers, chiropractic or massage certificates?
The forum is free, snacks will be provided and it is open to business and individuals alike. As we get ready for 2025, please learn more about what options are out there for you as a business owner or an individual. Some of them are more reasonable than you think.
Small Business Saturday
This is your reminder that Small Business Saturday happens this Saturday, Nov. 30.
Numerous business all over town are offering great deals, discounts and giveaways.
Small Business Saturday is an important date to shop local.
Not only do businesses offer great deals and giveaways to get you into the store, you are also supporting your neighbors and friends in their livelihood.
All throughout the year, our nonprofit agencies receive tens of thousands of dollars in goods, gift cards and cash to keep their services going. How about thanking our stores and restaurants for their generosity? Can you imagine what our community would be like if these businesses weren’t so generous?
As we shop small, we also send the message that our community wants and supports small business. Why would someone move here and open a business if not supported by the locals?
Remember that you are supporting businesses that provide jobs. And people in these jobs more often provide you with a personal touch and better customer service than anything you get online.
If we don’t support our local tax base, we are at risk of losing some of that tax base, and that in turn affects our infrastructure needs.
So, shop small. Say thank you. Make it a fun day with family and friends, and shop, eat and be merry in Pagosa Springs.
