Companies Are Boosting Benefits, Using the Web to Land, Keep Workers

The tight labor market is forcing some companies to find ways to retain employees and has led to an increase in the use of Web technology to find job candidates, according to a recent poll of small businesses across the country.

The poll found that 20% of the companies surveyed said they are offering more promotions, higher salaries, bonus plans, flex-time and are picking up the tab for job-related training or education.

The poll by Sage Software Inc., an Irvine-based provider of accounting and business management software solutions, involved 200 businesses chosen at random.

“Interviewees have become the interviewers, questioning recruiters about workplace environment, stock options, bonus plans, child-care availability and creative scheduling,” said David R. Butler, Sage’s president and chief operating officer. “Recruiters have to know what potential employees are looking for, and then be flexible and creative to successfully recruit and retain quality people.”

The poll also found that that 41% of the companies have begun posting job listings online within the past six months.

Sage Software conducts workplace surveys of various topics four times a year focusing on issues affecting small and mid-size companies.

Greg Hernandez covers workplace issues for The Times. He can be reached at (714) 966-5989 or at greg.hernandez@latimes.com.