UNUM research finds employers still lack focus on benefits education
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Unum Group Corp recently published findings in a summary of results from the company’s Fourth Annual Survey of American Workers conducted online by Harris Interactive. The survey polled more than 1,100 employed adults following the 2011 benefits enrollment period.
In addition to finding a sharp decline in overall employee satisfaction compared to previous years’, the research also found that employers continue to spend too little time and fewer resources on helping employees understand their employee benefits:
- 28% of employees indicated that benefits education provided by their employers is fair or poor.
- 50% of employees said they received printed information or brochures, down from 70% in 2008.
- 34% of employees were offered a chance to attend an information and question-and-answer session about benefits, down from 52% in 2008.
- 29% of employees indicated they had access to a toll-free number to speak with a benefits advisor, down from 47% in 2008.
The correlation between employee benefits education and overall workplace satisfaction is represented in the following results:
- 82% of employees who rated their benefits education highly also rated the employer an excellent or very good place to work.
- 79% of those who rated their benefits education highly said they would choose to stay with their current employer even if they were offered the same pay and benefits elsewhere.
Similar to the findings of the survey by the National Business Group on Health, there is still a great opportunity to better educate employees on how their behaviors and utilization impact employer health care costs, as well as have a significant impact on employee satisfaction and engagement.
In September, the UBA Health Plan Survey, one of the premier health plan benchmarking tools in the industry, will be released and provide even more insight into group health care trends. The 2012 survey report will include responses from over 11,600 companies and nearly 17,800 health plans. This is the largest survey ever completed by UBA (United Benefit Advisors) and provides the most detail of any national survey
(Photo credited to inc.com)
DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, and based on particular situations, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice, financial advice and/or the advice of a licensed insurance or certified human resource professional.
© Connelly, Carlisle, Fields & Nichols 2012
