Employee Benefit News: Maintaining a Happy and Productive Workforce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) November 2, 2011 -- “The power of saying ‘thank you’ is often underestimated,” says Kelley M. Butler, Editor-in-Chief, Employee Benefit News. “Everybody wants to feel appreciated for their hard work.”

A speaker at the upcoming marcus evans Mid-Market Corporate Benefits Summit 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 23-25, Butler discusses the importance of retaining top talent and the benefits that employees value most.

What have mid-market corporate benefits directors been faced with over the past few years?

Kelley M. Butler: Cost containment is a challenge we have faced since the financial crisis and recession began, as employers have had to maintain profitability and productivity at pre-recession levels.

Over the past few years, corporate benefit directors have been trying to maintain the status quo financially, which has resulted in employee layoffs and benefits cuts. As the economy rebounds, employers will struggle with sustaining some financial conservatism while offering top talent more to keep them onboard, since polls have indicated that a significant number of employees (from one-third to as many as half) are looking to leave their current employer.

What are the benefits most and least valuable to employees?

Kelley M. Butler: Maintaining healthcare coverage for themselves and their families is a benefit that employees find exceptionally valuable. They do not want to worry about finances if a medical emergency emerges.

Also, the concept of being given the gift of time is cherished a great deal. Whether in the form of paid time off, flexible work hours or the ability to work from home, it allows workers to attend to family issues, see their children and commute with more ease.

Conversely, supplemental life and disability insurance are important benefits that are often overlooked. Nobody likes thinking of these difficult issues, but through the workplace is a valuable and cost effective way to purchase that extra security and income protection.

How can mid-market corporate benefit directors retain top employees while keeping them happy and productive?

Kelley M. Butler: Retaining top talent has been difficult as employers have had to do more with less. This has led to employees feeling overworked, burned out and ready to cut ties with their current employer.

The power of saying “thank you” is often underestimated. Whether by email, hand written notes or face-to-face, everybody wants to feel appreciated for their hard work. If finances allow, a reward structure should be put in place for a job well done.

What initiatives to increase productivity and performance would you suggest?

Kelley M. Butler: Productivity and performance can be increased by better engaging people in the workplace. For the most part, employees don’t just work for their paycheck; they genuinely care about the work that they’re doing and how it affects their company overall. Employees can do their job more effectively through constant communication with superiors regarding what is going well and what can be done better.

Employees feel empowered when they believe that they are contributing to the company’s overall performance, and soliciting their opinions is an effective but cost-conscious way to increase productivity and performance.


Contact: Stacey Melvin, Journalist, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 400
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com


About the Mid-Market Corporate Benefits Summit 2012

This unique forum will take place at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, Las Vegas, Nevada, January 23-25, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on the continuing uncertainty over the healthcare reform, developing and implementing new benefit plan designs and better engaging employees.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website at www.corporatebenefitssummit.com/KBPR

marcus evans group - hr sector portal

Complementing our summit format, the HR Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations. Lend an ear to fellow experts and live news from our events on our LinkedIn and Twitter accounts!

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3801684&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

Twitter: www.twitter.com/meSummitsHR

Please note that the summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com

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