Employee benefits are a form of optional, non-wage compensation provided in addition to wages or salaries. They may include coverage for health and dental benefits, life insurance, and disability protection. But why offer these additional benefits to your employees?

•    Attracting employees. Acquiring skilled and dedicated staff will help create a strong foundation for your practice. To bring these individuals on board, it helps to have tangible benefits to differentiate your office from others and to demonstrate that you are willing to invest in your employees, care for their well-being, and value their job performance. Next to salary, employee benefits coverage is the most important tool in attracting and retaining key staff.

•    Retaining employees. An important component of running a successful practice is keeping staff happy and providing them with incentives to maximize their productivity. When staff turnover is high it’s difficult for a business to make progress and establish a veteran team. A benefits package will often persuade employees to stick around for the long run.

•    Morale booster. Access to benefits may also help to boost employee morale. If you understand and address the needs of your workforce, it’s likely that employees will be dedicated and take their jobs more seriously. Employees experience peace of mind, which leads to increased productivity and satisfaction, by being assured that they and their families are financially protected.

•    Healthier workforce. Offering an employee benefit plan also contributes to healthier employees. If your employees have solid health insurance plans in place there is a higher likelihood that they will have regular checkups and take preventive medical steps.

•    Loyalty and pride. By offering benefits you give employees more reasons to care about your practice and to remain loyal. Employees can feel a sense of pride in their employer if they are satisfied with the coverage they receive.

While offering employee benefits may cost a bit more initially, the advantages of attracting long-term staff to your practice outweigh those costs.

Doctors of BC offers a comprehensive health and dental benefits plan for members and their office staff through our Health Benefits Trust Fund Plan. It also includes an employee benefits package of life, accident, and disability insurance specifically for medical office staff.

If you are interested in learning more about our plan, including its eligibility and participation requirements, and obtaining enrollment forms, please visit our website at www.doctorsofbc.ca/member-area/insurance/health-dental-plan [9].

If you have any questions, please contact one of the Doctors of BC plan administrators: Darlene Laird (604 638-2818) or Miriam Burden (604 638-7856). Our toll-free number within BC is 1 800 665-2262, ext. 2818 or ext. 7856.