An online survey of more than 1,000 working adults found fewer employees said they had received effective education about their employee benefits last year compared to 2008.
The survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Unum showed in 2008, 39 percent of workers gave their benefits education positive ratings. In 2009, that number dropped to 29 percent.
"The past year brought a lot of upheaval for businesses, and efforts to help employees understand their benefits apparently suffered as companies worked day-to-day to navigate unpredictable economic conditions," said Bill Dalicandro, vice president for enrollment with Unum. "But as the benefits landscape is shifting, it is more important than ever to give employees the right tools to understand their benefits choices and to communicate what's available to them."
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Employees also reported lower ratings of their employers as a place to work, and lower opinions of their employee benefits packages.
"Our research reveals a strong connection between the quality of benefits education and employees' perception of their workplace," Dalicandro said. "Quality benefits education can be a low-cost, high-impact way to affect worker satisfaction."
- Among full or part time employees who say they receive effective benefits education, 90 percent say their employer values their work.
- 88 percent of employees also say they are satisfied with their current job.
- 88 percent of employees also say they would recommend their employer as a good place to work.
According to the survey results, 45 percent of employees reported they had seen changes in their benefits packages in 2009, including 31 percent who said they are paying more for benefits, and 9 percent who reported at least one benefit was discontinued.
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