Understanding Employee Benefits

Understanding Employee BenefitsUnderstanding Employee BenefitsWhen negotiating with prospective employers do not focus strictly on salary.Health care coverage and a retirement savings plan are two standard employee benefits that most companies offer.Work-life balance programs and professional development opportunities are important to many workers.Perks such as subsidized meals or on-site amenities should also factor into your decision.Starting salary?is undoubtedly a key determining factor as job seekers compare employment opportunities. But choosing the right firm for you - especially if youre juggling multiple offers - is often more complicated than just going with the highest bidder. A solid employee benefits package can (and should) be a critical factor in your decision as well.Here are?tips on the types of benefits to look for during your?job search?and how to identify which packages are best for you.When should I ask about a companys benefits package?The first interview, usu ally a short telephone call, is never a good time to inquire about benefits. Why? Interviewers will think its the only reason youre looking for a new job, just as talking about?starting salary?might make you seem money-driven. Same goes for the second interview. But if the hiring manager or HR representative broaches the subject, its fine to ask one or two general questions, like when you would be eligible for health care benefits or how much paid time off new hires typically receive.Once you get a job offer, however, if they havent already, employers will expect you to ask about the benefits package. Thats why we assembled the advice in this article - to help you gather as much information as possible about employee benefits in general before you accept the position.LET US HELP YOU FIND A JOBWhat kind of benefits should I expect?There are two standard employee benefits that most companies offerHealth care coverage - unterstellung usually take the form of health insurance and/or h ealth savings account plans. Companies have different policies about which family members can receive coverage (some will cover children, but not spouses) and how long you must be employed with the company before medical insurance takes effect.Retirement savings plan - ?Many organizations?provide their workers with an optional 401(k) or similar plan, and some will match a certain percentage of the employees contribution.What are some other benefits I should look for?Many organizations also offer the following plans, or some variation of themWork-life balance programs - ?Jobs with benefits that allow you to work flexible hours, telecommute, choose a compressed workweek or participate in a job-sharing arrangement can not only help you better balance work and personal demands but also cut down on the time and expense of commuting to and from the workplace. Many companies also offer family-leave support programs?for new parents and employees who are taking care of elderly parents. Other work-life balance benefits that are becoming more common, if not already required by law, include nursing rooms for new mothers and on-site day care centers.Professional development opportunities - ?To help workers keep their skills up to par, many companies now offer to pay for education and professional development opportunities, such as industry conferences or seminars. Subsidized training gives you valuable opportunities to build and sharpen your skills and increase the likelihood youll be prepared to move up the corporate ladder more quickly.Tuition reimbursement - If youre hoping to go back to school to complete your bachelors or even an advanced degree, this benefit - also often called tuition assistance - can save you a lot of money. In essence, your organization will pay your school fees as long as your classes are work-related and you maintain a certain GPA, as defined by the company. Youll typically find tuition reimbursement at larger, more-established organizations. Leaves of absence - ?behauptung platzhalter timeout periods are usually employee-requested and cover personal circumstances, such as bereavement or accidents. Employment effectively continues, and the choice to pay or not pay an employee - or maintain core employee benefits such as health and dental insurance?- are made in accordance with company policy.Employee assistance program - ?EAPs are designed to help staff overcome personal issues that might interfere with their job responsibilities and productivity. These programs make available qualified counselors for employees facing work or personal problems, such as alcohol or substance abuse, marital discord, or depression. Their services are confidential.What perks are nice to have?Some companies offer benefits, often called perks, that are not essential but may still influence your decision about a job offer. This is an area where employers often get creative. Here are some examplesFree or subsidized snacks or lunches?- Its hard to find anyone who wouldnt appreciate having their favorite soda, candy bar or healthy snack option available in the company kitchen.Gym memberships and on-site fitness classes?- A perk that is perhaps more common at larger companies than at their smaller counterparts, this benefit can help you increase your fitness, energy and overall health.On-site amenities - ?At some organizations, the workplace might seem more like a mini-resort than an office building, with relaxation lounges, nap rooms and even massages for workers to enjoy. Far from frivolous, ansicht employee perks are meant to help reduce your workplace stress and?allow you to take better advantage of your time.Matching gifts programs - More and more job seekers want to work for companies that are committed to?supporting their local communities. These programs, through which firms donate a certain amount of money for every dollar a worker raises for a nonprofit or every hour they volunteer, allow employees to get involv ed in organizations they care about. Some companies also offer paid time off for volunteer work.Subsidized transportation - Employers based in large cities are most likely to offer this resource. It can take the form of discounted subway or bus passes, or carpool options.Reimbursements and discounts - ?These types of perks include reimbursements?and discounts for employees at local retail outlets, athletic facilities and service providers.Hiring? We can help with that tooHow do I find companies with the best benefits?Step one is to check the website of the firm or company youre targeting. Many employers now include at least a partial?list of employee benefits they offer. Then, find where a company ranks on?Best Places to Work?lists. Major publications such as Fortune magazine rank some of the largest firms in the country local publications such as business journals do the same for smaller, regional organizations.Finally,?reach out to contacts in your?professional network?who curren tly work for or have worked for an organization youre considering, as they can be especially helpful in understanding the finer points of certain benefit and perk plans. For example, if the firm offers telecommuting options, how often can employees realistically work from home, and is the program restricted to certain positions? How costly are medical premiums and deductibles, and how comprehensive are the services provided?If youre able, get a copy of the employee handbook. It will likely include a thorough discussion of all the benefits you can expect to receive and provide details about company policies on floating holidays, vacation time, sick days, and leaves of absence.?The true valueWhen it comes to employee benefits, consider what value an organizations package will truly have for you. Are the health care and retirement coverages sufficient for your needs? If you need other benefits, like a flexible schedule or professional training, does the company offer them? And are you likely to take advantage of perks that can be enticing but might, ultimately, not mean that much to you? When you consider all these questions, youll have a better understanding of the job offer as a whole - and youll be better equipped to decide whether the job is the right one for you.