Employees Feel Excluded From Benefits Design Decisions
Most workers believe they are not given an adequate voice in the design of benefits programs by their employers, and many would like to have a greater say in the benefits planning process, according to a study commissioned by Delta Dental of Missouri of plan sponsors’ and employees’ views on the current benefits environment.
Based on a survey of 1,023 employees and interviews with human resource managers representing 150 companies, the study found that HR managers are much more likely than employees to indicate they are satisfied with their organization’s benefit offerings.
And, whereas a majority of the employers surveyed believe they are adequately engaging workers in benefits design and planning, the survey revealed that only around one in five employees believe they are sufficiently involved in the process. The results also showed, however, that nine out of ten employees would be happy to devote time and energy to collaborating with their employers in designing benefits.
When asked to rate the importance of various types of benefits in attracting and retaining workers, nearly all the employers and employees surveyed agreed that medical insurance and prescription drug coverage are absolutely essential. At the same time, however, differences in opinion about the importance of certain benefits emerged: 72% of workers rated dental benefits as absolutely essential, compared with 57% of employers. Employees were also more likely than HR managers to classify as highly important vision benefits, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and employee stock ownership programs.
“We believe that employers and employees have the potential to become powerful collaborators capable of positively impacting the benefits industry and the health status of companies and communities,” said Steve P. Gaal, III, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Missouri. “A partnership of this type could help slow the rate of increase in healthcare costs, improve health, and engineer benefits that help satisfy and retain employees.”
