"If employees don’t know about, and understand, the benefits on offer, then they won’t make use of them."
- Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Towergate Employee Benefits
Of those surveyed (500), 38% find it more difficult to communicate what employee benefits are available because of flexible working. Only 39% of employers believe their workers have a good understanding of their employee benefits package.
Although 62% of employers have been discussing employee benefits more frequently, 43% admitted that they find it difficult to target specific messages to different demographics.
Interestingly, 55% of employers are now focusing on digital communication, by means of apps and digital platforms. 34% said it’s easier for employees to see all their benefits in one place, 33% said they help communicate employee benefits, and 32% said it’s easier for employees to make use of their benefits.
Furthermore, 32% said digital platforms enable benefits to be more accessible, while 31% said they help employees make personal choices about what benefits to choose.
“It’s positive to see that employers are aware that communication of employee benefits is important; however, in many cases, the current processes aren’t sufficient. What needs to happen now is for employers to fully understand the options open to them.
“Employee understanding needs to be a core priority, and this will only come with careful communication. If employees don’t know about, and understand, the benefits on offer, then they won’t make use of them,” said Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Towergate Employee Benefits.
