Tech Jobsites » Employee Perks

Helping Employees Prepare for Retirement

Ingrid Baker — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:38:53 +0000

The retirement topic is an important one right now, partially due to layoffs and downsizing in companies. A research article on “The Society for Human Resource Management” website highlights problems and considerations when dealing with this topic.

When the employees in a company are unprepared for their retirement years, they may work beyond the time they should retire. This is a psychological blow for the employee, and has an effect on the org staffing plan as well. Because the recent financial crisis has taken a bite out of peoples’ savings and retirement accounts, as many as 24% of workers are planning to work until after age 70. There is also a significant increase in the number that feel they won’t be living comfortably in retirement.

For the company, there is a significant financial impact when employees work beyond their normal retirement age. First, health care expenses for folks over 65 can be more than double the cost of insuring people age 45 -55. In the case of work-related accidents, severity and time away from work can increase dramatically in the older employee. Salaries and compensation tend to be higher in the more mature worker compared to younger employees with a similar skill set. Some sources say that productivity drops…but there is an issue with the new grads and young employees on the same topic. There is a problem, however when an employee is there because they have to be because they can’t retire. There tends to be a drop off in energy and productivity for these folks.

There are things the organization can do to promote a culture of retirement readiness. The first step is obviously to look at the level of participation in retirement plans by those nearing retirement age. Then look at how many employees at all stages of their working life are utilizing the retirement benefits of the organization to the fullest advantage.

As the company reviews the retirement culture in their organization, they need to evaluate the plan design to assure that employees have access to options that fit their needs, and that the company makes it easy for employees to contribute or participate. Then – communicate. The information needs to be geared to the various ages or work life stages of the employees. Younger workers will have very different needs and views of retirement than a 55-year-old. Provide easy response mechanisms such as “take action” cards that encourage them to respond. Employees should also be offered financial consulting support from an outside source to provide them information for informed choices regarding their plans.

If the company makes matching contributions, they should try to structure the matches to encourage savings. As is to be expected, if the company matches up to 3% of the employee’s deferred salary, that is what they will contribute. If the plan matches at 50% for the first 3% deferred salary, changing to a 25% match for the first 6% might change the participation rates and encourage more savings without adding costs to the company.

Obviously there needs to be continued evaluation of the entire retirement picture, with specific measures such as participation rates and average salary deferrals to track how well the plan is succeeding. Success of the plan is greater success for the organization, and a better prepared workforce.

Holiday Bonuses Not the Right Reward

Ingrid Baker — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:49:43 +0000

Companies look for ways to thank employees and incentivize them – keep the team happy and productive! One traditional reward has been the holiday bonus. The bonus can come in many forms, from checks in various amounts (or sometimes the same amount for all) to in one case, a holiday turkey…
The problem is, this particular reward doesn’t have much lasting effect on employee morale, job satisfaction, or productivity. In many cases it becomes perceived as part of the annual salary. It can also cause resentment when everyone gets the same reward no matter how much they contributed to the company’s success that year. In a case I’m familiar with, the executive team got significantly higher holiday bonuses, creating resentment among staff that felt those folks already had enough money for the holidays and it should go to the “worker bees”.
A better idea, as suggested in an article on the Society for Human Resource Management website, is incentive pay based on meeting company goals. A reward should align the growth and wealth-building of the company and its employees. When companies develop the correct incentives, their growth and success can increase significantly.
This requires some groundwork. The first, as always, is to clearly identify company goals for the short term. These goals have to be quantifiable in order to use them as a guide for rewarding employees. Then comes the hard part – identify specific behaviors or work that will help achieve these goals. In addition, employees should articulate their particular goals as they relate to the business of the company.
Company leaders should recognize that employees are motivated by similar elements—an atmosphere that encourages development, participation in the decision-making processes, opportunities for professional growth and a comfortable living now and the ability to increase their well being in the future.
So how to reward: bonuses, deferred compensation, stock plans or other options? This has to be defined by the leadership and be based on the company structure and financial situation.
Finally, the reward program won’t be effective unless it is kept front and center in the business process. It will only motivate if employees remember the commitments made and rewards available. This type of program serves as recognition and appreciation of the individual effort to make the company more successful.
There is always opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the employees of the company en mass via luncheons or simple gift exchanges. Bear in mind, however, that not everyone celebrates the holidays in the same way, and some not at all. That’s another reason for not doing holiday bonuses!

Time Is Money!

Ingrid Baker — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:58:02 +0000

I have read numerous articles on the changing requirements of the job seeker – especially the newest generation of earners. Some of the comments are not flattering – such as that the new wave of workers doesn’t really expect to have to show up to work every day, or that they expect to be paid exceptional salaries without any experience. In reality there are good and not so good applicants in any generation. One of the most commented – on wishes of today’s employee is more TIME. When an applicant looks at a job opportunity, don’t be surprised if they look at salary and benefits, but also pay close attention to how much personal time/vacation time is included in the offer.
In a survey done by the Society for Human Resource Management(SHRM) earlier in 2011, 86% of the 550 respondents to the survey said flexibility – the ability to balance their work and personal life – is an important or very important aspect of job satisfaction. Acknowledging the pressure of balancing personal needs and their work requirements, many employers are offering work flexibility to keep their best and brightest. Others are using the flexible work arrangements to attract workers from their competitors!
There were actually awards given for workplace flexibility through a rigorous process developed by the Families and Work Institute. One example – Turner Construction finds that listening to staff needs and communicating how important they are to the company resulted in a voluntary staff turnover rate of just 3.8%. Employees surveyed feel they were being heard (an increase of from 59% in 2005 to 72% in 2011), and management evaluations include a section on how well they promote flexible work options. There are such perks as Friday afternoons off in the summer, even though it is a peak time for their industry.
Another company, Ben Secours Health System, has used a variety of flexible work schedules for years – partly because of a shortage of health care workers, and partly because many departments require 24-hour coverage. Employees can work compressed workweeks or either four 10-hour shifts or three 12-hour shifts a week. There is enhanced pay for weekend hours, and many more. Because women make up 85% of the workforce and women are still the primary caregiver in a majority of family units, these options are especially important in meeting staffing needs.
Even in the factory (Futura Industries in Utah) there are opportunities. At Futura 85% of the employees take advantage of flexible work times without sacrificing pay. Employees are cross trained, and managers can decide if they need to backfill when an employee needs some time off or if they can work with one less for that time.
It seems that investigating flextime options can be an important factor in the success of a company to hire and retain their workforce. Check it out!

Does It Pay to Pay for Performance?

Ingrid Baker — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:30:35 +0000

There have been headlines in the news lately concerning performance bonuses in the banking and finance industry. In some cases such as that of Goldman Sachs, lower overall company performance didn’t dampen the pay raises and bonuses significantly last year. So is there really a connection, and how is “performance” determined?

According to an article in the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) news, over 90% of U.S. organizations tie salary increases and bonuses to specific performance measures. There was a study done by the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp) that found high-performer organizations are more likely to use performance measures than the “low performers”.

There is also a difference between companies saying they evaluate performance and companies doing so successfully. Being successful depends heavily on identifying the appropriate drivers to use in the evaluation process, and clearly understanding these drivers.

The SHRM article said that high-performer companies were driven primarily by a desire to recognize and reward their best employees. This desire also translates into needing to retain their best and brightest at a time when these folks may be a target for other organizations looking for new employees. As a secondary driver, the high-performer hoped to increase the likelihood of achieving corporate goals through their review program.

In these times of tight budgets, very few of the companies studied identified the compensation budget as a driver for performance evaluations and raises. During the 2009 downturn there was a general attitude among companies that if you kept your job, even if it meant a salary reduction, everyone was grateful. Now, slowly, companies are able to give raises and bonuses, and are trying to do so effectively.

Interestingly, the i4cp study found that low-performing organizations put emphasis more on achieving corporate goals (in other words how well did the employee fit into that business vision). While this might make sense, sometimes the best input you can receive from staff is why the goal/vision needs tweaking, and being able to provide new vision or innovation to achieve success. Meeting corporate objectives and improving productivity are useful short term goals, but the best and brightest can see the broader picture and help the organization get there.

Retirement Planning Just Got Interesting

Ingrid Baker — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:20:44 +0000

Most U.S. employees currently relying on a 401K plan will not be able to retire by age 65. A study published by Nyhart’s employee benefits consultancy has come up with some interesting information. The six-month study looked at retirement accounts from employees at 110 U.S. public and private companies, and found that most employees aged 45 to 55 need to contribute 19% of pay to be able to retire at age 65. Employees aged 60-64 will probably have to work until age 75 to afford to retire.
The study, based on current contribution rates, found that 81% of employees 18 or older won’t be able to afford to retire at 65. Also 70% of employees 18-24 aren’t expected to retire by age 65, as 30% of them don’t participate in a 401K.
The leading cause impacting retirement age is the contribution rate of the employee. Across all age groups, the greater the contribution rate the better the opportunity to afford retirement. By increasing the percent contribution by 2-4% of total income, employees can shave years off the age of retirement.
Another factor influencing the ability to retire is the gender of the employee. Current stats show that women live longer than men, and so definitely need to save more.
The economic recession of 2008-2010 had a major impact on employees 55 or older who wanted to retire at 65. The hardest hit were those 60-64, who will need to contribute approximately 45% of income to retire at 65.
The U.S. has gone from a country where most large organizations had company-funded defined benefit plans to a n era of varying levels of employee contributions in order to have any retirement options.
The Society for Human Resources website, www.shrm.org, has pointers on managing 401K’s and other retirement issues.

Employee Absences An Issue For Employees and Managers

Ingrid Baker — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:03:52 +0000

As manager for a busy OB-Gyn office in another lifetime, I was well aware of the impact of an absent employee. There were patients to see, charts to manage, billing to be done and suddenly you are one or two people short. Everything slowed down and other employees were working harder to take up the slack.
In the office most people were well aware of how their absence affected their departments and the practice as a whole, and tried to manage their time accordingly.
The employee with vacation benefits should be able to enjoy time off guilt-free. If they are truly ill, they need to know their co-workers will be supportive while they are off work. It is also important that they don’t come to work and infect others, but stay home and get well. So – how can the employer be prepared to support the employee and their position?
For the employer, one interesting fact is a finding from a Kronos/Mercer study that employee absences, planned or unplanned, cost the company approximately 35% of base payroll. An article in the Society For Human Resource Management (10/12/2010) talked about the need for employers to better manage these costs.
Some suggestions (and employees might want to think about their role in the process) include being aware of problem signs before unplanned absences occur. Things such as chronic lateness might signal a health problem. Complaints of work-related pain or discomfort, such as wrist pain in a computer operator, might warrant further investigation to see if their workplace can be modified to avert more complications.
For planned absences it is worth a supervisor’s time to include the employee in planning for coverage for their position. Seek suggestions for allocating their chores, and in case of surgery or medical leave offer a modified work schedule to allow them to return more quickly.
During non-vacation absences it is important to stay in touch with the employee. For all absences make sure that any changes made in their work area are relayed to them before they return.
Managers have the difficult task of keeping their work unit running smoothly while having to work around absent employees. The unit employees should be familiar enough with each other’s jobs to be able to cover for the absent member, unless the position is highly specific , in which case the manager should be able to secure coverage. The manager should also be tuned in to the needs of the group, and if there’s a particularly unhappy employee who might have multiple absences, address the issue and mitigate the problem if possible.
Actual disciplining of employees that abuse the company leave policies is more difficult. There are a number of regulations such as the federal and state medical leave laws, disability absences, bereavement and many more. It is important that the employees understand clearly the company policies, and any potential problems are addressed immediately by the employer.
Providing a supportive atmosphere for the employee while having the expectation that they’ll be at their jobs as required is a balancing act. That’s why we have managers – best of luck to them!

Labor Market Still Mixed

Ingrid Baker — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:53:10 +0000

The economic news is that the decline is slowing, and we may be stable and looking for improvement in the overall economy next year…but who knows? The most important sector of the economy for most people is the job market, and the news isn’t comforting.

According to a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, one third of HR professionals have some level of concern about the job market in the U.S. for the last of 2009, and other sources don’t expect it to be any better in 2010. The National Association of Business Economics survey found that more than half of the 44 economists surveyed don’t expect the lost American jobs to be recovered fully until 2012.

The SHRM Survey found that white-collar employees have particular cause for concern. With one in seven U.S. organizations planning to reduce staff, they are targeting a higher percentage of managers and professionals (double the percentage of any other employee group). These people represent a lot of talent and experience, and hopefully will be able to hang on until things improve – as their skills will surely be needed. There is a tendency among employers not to add jobs even though there might be a short term need, to prevent having to lay off again in the uncertain economy.

In New Mexico the government sector has taken an economic hit and consequently is cutting staff and tightening the budget. Some companies are laying off, and many are reducing their work week in order to avoid layoffs. Benefits are being cut in almost all sectors in the coming year which has huge long term effects, especially for those nearing retirement age. Ironically one of the difficulties new and growing businesses in New Mexico have faced in the past has been the need for an experienced workforce. Now there’s an abundance of talent looking for employment and not enough opportunity. We’re a fairly creative state, so let’s get to work and get these good people back on the job.

Got Dirt? Company Gardens

Ingrid Baker — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:19:17 +0000

Use your dirt to start a company garden. The reward is twofold-improving employee health and improving morale. The concept isn’t new, but there is a new interest in community-sponsored agriculture because of the economic situation in the country and the new emphasis on health in the U.S. It can’t hurt to cut down on prepackaged food in the lunchroom!

The orthopedic office where I once worked had a small garden plot outside the back door, where we grew chard and lettuce. Everyone used the fresh vegetables as a side dish for their sack lunches and appreciated the novelty-this was in 1988! Now big corporations are getting on the bandwagon. According to an article in HR News (Nov. 18, 2009) Pepsico opened an organic garden at headquarters in May of this year. The Haberman PR firm in Minneapolis started a “Dude Ranch” at about the same time. CEO Fred Haberman believed that the company garden lead to a healthier, more productive workforce – and by extension lower health care costs.

If you don’t have space around your workplace, you can rent a plot nearby, or try window boxes. In a time when small perks can have great impact, you are encouraging healthy living and healthy attitudes. If any of you have gardens you are aware of the satisfaction they bring. Share your thoughts and experiences!