Risk & Business Magazine Sterling Insurance Magazine Winter 2018 | Page 7

5 TRENDS IN EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BY: PAUL MATTES STERLING INSURANCE GROUP Trends In Employee Benefits That Will Attract You The Best Talent I f one thing is becoming more and more obvious, it’s that employees don’t often feel the need to maintain company loyalty like they have in the past. Granted, given the way many of the largest corporations in the country treat them, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. Coupled with the rising popularity of the “gig economy,” this spells bad news for employers. The bright side? There are some recent trends in the benefits packages being offered to employees that may be turning things around. Here are five trends in employee benefits that will attract and help you retain the right people: • GOING DIGITAL FOR HEALTHCARE This one shouldn’t be a big surprise. Everything is trending toward digital, and healthcare is no different. These tools aim to do a number of things, including assisting with healthcare spending and decision making. Some provide options for online healthcare through concierge services. • WELLNESS PROGRAMS Keeping employees healthy is essential to keeping them efficient and keeping them working at all. Many companies are providing in-house options for gym memberships, healthy eating plans, personal training, or even cash incentives for things like walking the most steps or quitting smoking. • IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION Data theft is almost ubiquitous now. With every breach, someone could have their entire life turned upside down by someone halfway across the world. Some companies are providing their employees with identity theft insurance to help clear up ID theft issues, including mailing costs, attorney fees, and other associated costs. • IMPROVED PAID TIME OFF (PTO) Time off is a hot-button issue. Companies offering attractive PTO for new parents, family illness, or other similar situations are not only becoming more and more common, but the ones who aren’t are being left behind. • STUDENT LOAN ASSISTANCE Anyone following the news in the last few years is likely aware that student loans are crippling most workers at the most pivotal point in their careers. Companies are beginning to take note and are beginning to provide options, including assistance in repayment or access to third parties who may be able to offer a lower loan interest rate. If you consider the acquisition and training cost of a new employee, it becomes clear fairly quickly that many of these benefits offer a substantial savings over the potential of employee replacement. They are almost like an insurance policy for your best performers. How would you feel if a competitor got one of your best and brightest to jump ship because they had a more attractive benefits program? How about you? What does your benefits package include? Are you having trouble attracting or retaining talent? Maybe it’s time for a change. We can help. Contact me at [email protected] or (586) 822-7380 today and let’s get started on a benefits package that will attract the quality candidates you need. Paul Mattes is the Vice President of Sterling Insurance Group. Joining the agency in 1998 and partnering with Joe Haney as Principal, Paul has been dedicated to instrumental growth of the firm. Using his CIC, LIC, CRM, CRA, CBWA and CAWC knowledge paired with over 28 years of experience, Paul works with clients in various industries to prepare solid Risk Management and Employee Benefits programs tailored to meet their needs. Contact him at pmattes@sterlingagency. com or (586) 822-7380. 7