Putting your people first: Why tailored employee benefits in SMEs matter
Amid talent shortages, rising healthcare costs, and growing employee expectations, Marsh’s Health on Demand 2025 report reveals that employees at smaller organisations are less likely than those at larger organisations to say their benefits needs are met.
The gap is more pronounced at organisations with fewer than 50 employees: Only 42% of employees say their benefits meet their needs, compared with 60%–68% at larger organisations.
Perception that comprehensive medical benefits are usually only available to large organisations
SME employees also report that their benefits fall short compared to other organisations in their industry. At the smallest companies, only one third of employees believe their benefits compare favourably.
Employees who feel their employer cares about their health and well-being
Tailoring benefits to help SMEs attract and retain talent
How can Marsh help SMEs provide inclusive and cost-effective employee benefits?
Marsh offers employee benefits solutions for businesses with just one employee, incuding:
- Fixed-rate or capped-rate-increase contracts for multiple years, regardless of inflation and claims performance.
- Access to a comprehensive range of employee benefits (usually available to large organisations) through our global network and partnerships.
- Digitised benefits administration for greater convenience.
- Proprietary benchmarking data on benefits and discounts on health and wellness solutions, through our exclusive Benefits Club.
For SMEs in Hong Kong, the challenge is not simply how much to spend on employee benefits, but how to make every dollar count. A more tailored approach can help employers respond to different employee needs while managing costs, turning benefits into a meaningful way to demonstrate care and strengthen their ability to attract and retain talent