The intent for the Benefits Category is that organizations provide key forms of support for employees to care for themselves and for loved ones as well as to bolster their professional and financial futures.
While many countries provide government-sponsored universal health care insurance, the population of the United States is still dependent on employer-sponsored health insurance for those who do not qualify for Medicaid and Medicare (government-sponsored health insurance programs). According to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s 2022 annual survey, employer-based health insurance plans represent the largest source of coverage in the U.S., with 54% of workers receiving coverage through an employer-sponsored plan.69 Benefits packages that meet the needs of employees and their families support improved health overall, benefiting not only those individuals, but increasing productivity as well as decreasing costs for the organization and the community over the long term.
A strong, inclusive paid family and medical leave policy can improve the health of employees and their families, and support greater gender equality in the workplace.70 Family members and loved ones of all ages may need care at different times, and providing flexible leave programs allows employees the peace of mind to respond to these needs. When employees feel confident in doing what’s best for their own health and the health of their families, benefits are likely to accrue not only to the organization in the form of reciprocal goodwill, engagement, and loyalty, but also radiate out into the broader community, as security breeds better health, relationships, and resilience.
Organizations that understand the value of investing in their employees’ futures and foster a learning and development culture that promotes personal growth, skills development, and leadership competencies, ultimately benefit both the employees and the organization as a whole. In an equitable society, everyone would have the opportunity to retire at a reasonable age with security, stability, and dignity. Not only does the potential for a secure future help an employee focus on the present, but society benefits in the long run when people are financially stable into their later years, allowing them to remain healthy, vibrant, and self-sufficient. Furthermore, investing in employees through professional development is an important step toward strengthening an organization and directly impacting individual employee growth and engagement and can lead to greater retention and job satisfaction.71-72
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69 Kaiser Family Foundation. (2022, October 27). 2022 Employer Health Benefits Survey. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.kff.org/health-costs/report/2022-employer-health-benefits-survey/.
70 Petts, R., Mize, T., & Kaufman, G. (2021, October 26). Paid Leave Policy Design Matters for Workplace Equality. The Gender Policy Report. Retrieved December 30, 2023, from https://genderpolicyreport.umn.edu/paid-leave-policy-design-matters-for-workplace-equality/.
71 Shiri, R., El-Metwally, A., Sallinen, M., Pöyry, M., Härmä, M., & Toppinen-Tanner, S. (2023). The Role of Continuing Professional Training or Development in Maintaining Current Employment: A Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 11(21), 2900. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11212900. Retrieved April 3, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10647344/.
72 Wharton Online. (2023, March 6). How Professional Development Can Boost Employee Engagement. University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved April 3, 2024, from https://online.wharton.upenn.edu/blog/how-professional-development-boosts-employee-engagement/.
