Why Offering Healthcare Benefits Matters for Irish SMEs
In Ireland, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face a constant balancing act, attracting and retaining talent while keeping costs under control. Unlike large corporations with big budgets, SMEs often struggle to provide the “fancy” perks that make headlines—gym memberships, unlimited holidays, or high-end wellness packages.
But one employee benefit stands out as both meaningful and affordable, accessible healthcare.
Why Employee Benefits Matter for SMEs
Retention and loyalty: Employees are more likely to stay with a company that invests in their well-being.
Reduced absenteeism: Quick access to medical advice means less time off waiting for a doctor’s appointment.
Attracting talent: In a competitive market, even a modest healthcare benefit can differentiate an SME from others offering little beyond salary.
According to a CIPD Ireland survey, employee wellbeing initiatives directly impact engagement and productivity, even in smaller businesses (Source: CIPD Ireland, 2024).
The Cost Barrier for SMEs
Many SMEs want to look after their staff but simply cannot afford large insurance packages or expensive perks. Traditional health insurance often comes with:
High monthly premiums
Complex terms and restrictions
Long lead times before employees see the real benefit
For a small business with 5–40 employees, these costs can be prohibitive.
A Practical Alternative: Online Healthcare
This is where telemedicine solutions step in. Instead of paying for costly, all-encompassing insurance, SMEs can provide their employees with direct access to doctors online at no cost to the company.
The benefits include:
Fast access: Employees can speak to a doctor from home, work, or on the go.
Transparent pricing: A typical online consultation with Beet Online healthcare is €49, including prescriptions and sick notes.
Scalability: Pay only for what’s used, rather than committing to a high annual premium.
How we at Beet Online Healthcare help SMEs
Beet Online was designed with Irish businesses in mind, especially SMEs that want to offer meaningful benefits without breaking the bank. By partnering with Beet Online, companies can:
Provide employees with access to Irish-registered doctors online.
Avoid the burden of expensive, traditional insurance schemes.
Show their workforce that health and well-being are a priority.
It’s a simple, cost-effective way to offer a valuable benefit that employees will actually use.
If your business would like to partner with Beet Online Healthcare, please get in touch. Contact Us
Conclusion: A Small Step with Big Impact
For SMEs, employee benefits don’t need to be extravagant. Offering practical healthcare access, without heavy costs, signals care, commitment, and responsibility. Beet Online provides exactly that: an affordable, effective solution for small businesses to compete for talent while supporting their employees’ health.
Ready to add meaningful benefits to your business? Explore how online healthcare can fit into your employee package today. Contact Us
References
CIPD Ireland, Health and Wellbeing at Work Report (2024).
The Irish Times, Rising Costs of Employee Benefits for Small Firms (2024).
