Employee benefits gain priority amid U.S. talent crunch
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — United States (U.S.) companies are ramping up their investment in employee benefits, battling to secure and keep top talent, according to a WTW report.
The study shows that for 80% of surveyed firms, the fierce talent competition critically shapes their benefits strategies, while 67% share concerns about surging costs.
WTW Managing Director Courtney Stubblefield highlights the importance of employee benefits as a tool for competitive differentiation.
She urges businesses to hone their focus on employee needs by devising holistic benefits plans, despite acknowledging the operational complexity such plans entail.
In the face of the ongoing talent war, a promising 65% of employers express confidence in their current benefits plan’s effectiveness in attracting and retaining crucial talent.
Furthermore, 49% are working on formulating benefits plans that serve all their employees, while 43% intend to enhance their benefits related to financial well-being.
Yet, the report identifies a critical challenge as 75% of organizations are strategizing ways to balance employees’ needs with managing plan costs. It projects cost considerations will dictate benefits budgets in the next two years.
Amid apprehensions about higher inflation (46% of employers) and a weakening economy impacting their benefits budget (36% of employers), many are reassessing the benefits they currently provide.
In response to these cost pressures and to optimize their offerings, 66% of firms have already worked towards improving vendor contract terms, with 83% intending to follow suit.
The survey included 595 US firms from various industries from March to April.
