Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/330423
[ 46 ] HRO TODAY MAGAZINE | JUNE 2014 Great benefits plan you've got there—but do employees know? By Audrey Boone Tillman Benefits Educating employees about their insurance plans can be just as important as the plans themselves. Recent example: Only 35 percent of workers believe that their employer effectively communicated about healthcare reform and subsequent changes to their benefits, according to the 2014 Aflac WorkForces Report, an annual survey that examines the issues impacting benefits in the workplace. Furthermore, only six in 10 (63 percent) employers agree very strongly or strongly that they effectively communicate the value of benefits. Education Equals Engagement When employees are not engaged in their benefits decisions, they typically don't adequately protect their income or their well-being. This leaves many workers underinsured and vulnerable to the ramifications of an unplanned health event. Yet more than half (53 percent) of employers completely or strongly agree their employees need to be better engaged in benefit decisions, while only 13 percent agree very strongly they are taking steps to get their employees more engaged. Good Communication Means Reduced Turnover HR decision-makers who believe a well-communicated benefits program can lead to reduced turnover are right. In Great benefits plan you've got there—but do employees know? Great benefits plan you've got there—but do employees know? Great benefits plan you've got there—but do employees know? Great benefits plan you've got there—but do employees know? Communication Breakdown