At Harbor Sweets, I have personally participated in the ‘no win’ deliberations
and decisions small businesses in the Commonwealth have had to make for years.
We start with the fact that we are not financially able to offer the benefits
associated with corporate or public sector organizations.
The primary benefit we have provided, key to the well being of our employees,
is health insurance. This benefit has allowed us to retain valued and
valuable employees. Unfortunately the very fact of retention means an aging
employee pool – a serious disadvantage laid on top of the ‘average’ rate hikes
small business has seen to premiums over the past several years.
The options available to small businesses (since we are not allowed to negotiate with the insurance companies) are to reduce the level of benefits provided by the health plan or reduce the employer contribution. There simply is no way to avoid the added burdens this creates for both the Company and resulting negative impact on the employees. Clearly this benefits neither the employee not the employer.
Health insurance costs have increased at a greater rate than any other cost in our business. The dramatic increases in health care costs have a direct negative impact on our ability to grow our business, thus increasing jobs or wages to our employees.
Billie Phillips
Vice President of Marketing
Harbor Sweets, Inc.
Salem, MA 01970
