Recent research by GRiD, the industry body for group risk, has revealed only 57% of employers believe their workforce is aware of all their benefits and understands them.
It was also found that 28% of employers believe their workforce is aware of all their benefits but doesnโt understand them all and 10% of employers believe their workforce is only aware of some of their benefits.
In addition, 35% of employees say their company doesnโt communicate benefits or donโt remember if they do.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, says: “A huge amount of resource, time, energy and money is invested in compiling employee benefits packages. This is maximised when a workforce is aware of the benefits and understands them.”
Appreciation of benefits is connected to how well theyโre communicated, so the research also looked at the frequency and methods of communication.
- 38% of employers communicate details of their benefits when thereโs a change to the terms and conditions of a particular benefit
- 29% communicate benefits at recruitment stage
- 26% communicate benefits at least quarterly
- 22% communicate benefits at performance reviews
- 21% communicate benefits once a year
- 8% donโt communicate their benefits
The most effective communication strategies are those that are regular. Employee benefits donโt always resonate with employees if they donโt seem relevant at a particular point in time. However, life stages and circumstances change regularly, so benefits that werenโt relevant one day, may very well be the next.
Katharine Moxham continued: “We see people at some of the most vulnerable stages in their life in our industry: at times of ill-health, disability and bereavement. Circumstances that by their nature are often unforeseen. This is exactly why benefits that support such situations need to be communicated regularly, so they are front of mind when they are needed.”
Communication methods
By far the most popular method for communicating benefits is in a staff welcome pack (38%). Posting details to home addresses was the least popular, according to employers.
However, employees have a different recollection of the methods their employers use and over a third (35%) donโt believe their employer communicates benefits or canโt remember if they do.
| How benefits are communicatedย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย | Employers:ย ย ย ย | Employees: |
|
Staff welcome back |
38% | 15% |
|
Staff handbook |
29% | 15% |
|
Before day one of employment/in an offer letter |
25% | 10% |
|
|
25% | 23% |
|
Before recruitment, e.g. in job advertisements |
22% | 10% |
|
Staff noticeboard |
22% | 11% |
|
Company intranet |
19% | 19% |
|
Total Reward Statements |
12% | 7% |
|
Employee benefit fairs |
11% | 6% |
|
Benefit platform(s)/Apps |
11% | 9% |
|
Post to home address |
11% | 6% |
Thereโs a disconnect between how employers communicate, and what employees remember. This clearly demonstrates the need for regular communication and using a mix of methods for communications to be effective. Employees wonโt always remember whatโs been communicated if it wasnโt important at the time.
Likewise, different methods will resonate more with some employees than others. Some will diligently read their welcome pack or handbook, and others will be more likely to engage with the company intranet. There are also increasing options to promote digitally, and itโs important that this method is also embraced to reach all sections of a workforce.
Katharine Moxham added: “These findings are particularly pertinent given new legislation, which came into force 6 April this year requiring employers to inform employees about their employment and benefits on day one or on request. But, in addition to complying with this, to increase engagement and for benefits to be utilised, they need to be understood, to which communication is central. Whether weโre talking about pensions, healthcare, employer-sponsored life assurance, income protection or critical illness, the approach needs to be the same. Employers need to tell their workforce what theyโre offered, communicate via as many means as possible, and do so regularly.”
Photo by https://www.proxyclick.com
