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Offering perks to employees can help to create a happier, more productive workplace, but did you know that the positive effects of offering such perks can impact employers, too? According to a recent study by the Principal Financial Group and Harvard Business Review Analytic Services, companies that provided employees with continuous and varied benefits saw positive effects on both company growth and dividends. 

We have covered employee off-boarding in previous posts, explaining how important the process is to employers who want to improve various aspects of the workplace. While employers are always looking to retain valuable employees, at one point or another, the decision to resign or retire is made. In addition to losing a talented worker, you are also saying goodbye to the experience and knowledge held by that individual person. Rather than dwell on the loss, use the off-boarding process as a tool to help future employees.

As the next class of college graduates prepares to enter the workforce, companies looking to attract top talent should recognize the importance of job security. While salary and a competitive benefits package play a significant role in recruitment, a recent survey on job seekers from the college graduating class of 2012  conducted by SimpleHired.com found that the majority of new college grads selected job security as being the most important factor in choosing a future employer.

Consumers and Businesses across the U.S. are expected to receive an estimated $1.3 million in rebates from their health plans by August of this year, according to a recent analysis conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation. In 2011, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) began requiring insurance plans to pay out a minimum percentage of premium dollars towards health care expenses, placing a limit on administrative and marketing spend and profit. The rebates are being distributed as a result of health insurers who spent more on administrative expenses and profits than allowed by ACA.

The cost of insurance is not cheap and many small to midsized businesses are paying around eighteen percent more for insurance than larger companies. As healthcare costs continue to rise, more companies are seeking ways to cut costs and improve the bottom line. Fortunately, there are a few steps companies can take to help save on spending, and we have compiled a a list of Three Ways to Save Your Company on Health Care Costs.

As many as one-third of Americans are turning to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter seeking healthcare information according to a recent study conducted by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC). U.S. consumers are also using social media to share information related to health, such as symptoms, treatments, medical devices, and health plans. More than 80% of respondents between the ages of 18 and 24 reported being likely to share health information through social media networks and almost 90% would trust information via social media.

A recent survey conducted by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that many American businesses are not prepared for the potential skill gaps that may occur as younger generations enter the workforce and older workers retire. Almost three-quarters of HR professionals surveyed reported their businesses’ loss of older talent as a “problem” or “potential problem.” For many of these organizations, employers are worried that younger workers won’t be able to fill the shoes of their elders exiting the workplace.

According to a new report conducted by LIMRA, nearly one in five Americans shops for life insurance through their employer. Of those surveyed, 20% shop for life insurance via the workplace, with 75% purchasing. The reasoning behind these numbers can be attributed to the convenience of benefits offered through employers, and also the trust and security aspect of shopping for insurance through an employer-selected vendor. Thirty percent of respondents reported shopping for life insurance because of the availability to do so at work.

Time and time again the importance of employee well-being is stressed to employers. Studies, such as the recent Towers Watson report “Performance in an Era of Uncertainty,” have found that nearly one-third of employers plan to adopt the use of financial incentives to encourage healthy behavior in the workplace. Forty-three percent of employers already provide incentives to engage in healthy lifestyle activities in the workplace.  Healthy employees lead to lower healthcare costs and increased productivity. Making employee health a priority will benefit any organization, but employers must make the commitment to provide the necessary tools and resources.

Today is National Employee Benefits Day, and CheckPoint HR is honoring April 4^th by offering information for employers to help optimize employee benefits offerings. Employee benefit programs have become scrutinized in recent years due to changing legislation with Health Care Reform and the escalating costs of premiums however remain a vital tool in the recruitment and retention of key employees.