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Employers Are Looking for New and Innovative Benefits
Sixty-five
percent of employers are asking their broker or consultant to recommend new and
innovative benefits solutions, MetLife found in its 15th annual
employee benefit trends study, “Work Redefined: A New Age of Benefits.” Because
employees are changing jobs more often, employers are hoping that enhanced
benefits will keep staff in their employ longer.
The survey found that forty-nine percent of employees are anxious about their
financial wellbeing, and 40% would like their employer to provide financial
security. Twenty-three percent say they are less productive at work because of
financial worries. Fifty-eight percent of employees want customized benefit
options, and 43% expect to delay their retirement due to their financial situation.
Sixty percent of employees worry about money. Only 27% are happy with their progress in paying down student debt, and only 32% think they are doing a good enough job of saving for their children’s education.
Forty-nine percent of employees want programs that reward healthy behavior, but only 8% of employers offer such a program. Sixty-two percent of employees want portable benefits. Sixty percent of employees want parental leave to include both partners.
Fifty-nine percent of employees say that if health and wellbeing benefits were offered to them, they would be more loyal to their employer, and another 53% say that of financial planning programs. Seventy-four percent say that of flexible work hours, 72% of customized benefits and 66% of the ability to work from home.
NEXT: The Employer’s PerspectiveEmployers tend
to agree with employees’ belief that they have a responsibility to help them
with their financial lives; 73% believe they have a responsibility for their
employees’ health and wellbeing of their employees. Sixty-four percent of
employers believe that their benefits can help employees make better financial decisions,
and 80% think benefits can increase employee satisfaction.
Eighty-eight percent think financial wellness benefits can boost employee productivity,
and 75% think they will result in employees working longer hours. Seventy-eight percent think that benefits
overall can increase employee loyalty, and 73% think they can attract
employees.
The top five benefits employers think they must
offer are health insurance (88%), prescription drug coverage and a 401(k) or
other retirement plan (both tied at 72%), auto insurance (68%), dental
insurance (68%) and home insurance (62%).
“It is important for employers to ensure that they offer the benefits that
employees need, even if the company doesn’t pay for them,” MetLife says. “Offering
a benefits experience that provides a range of support shows employees that
their goals—in and out of work—are understood. Getting to know the needs of
employees can help employers decide on the right mix of benefits options.”
MetLife also says that employers should make enrolling in benefits easier for
their employees.
Metlife’s report was conducted by ORC International last October and November
among 2,504 company benefits executives and 2,652 employees. The full report
can be downloaded here.