Employee benefits constitute additional perks that employees get on top of their salaries from their employers. Benefits are valuable to both the employer and the employee. As an employer, you can attract and retain great employees if you offer them good packages.
On the other hand, benefits are valuable to employees since they offer relief in the time of need. There are different types of benefits, the perks you get depend on your company and the position that you hold. Read on to learn the basic employee benefits you need to be aware of.
Life Insurance
Life is unpredictable, and you can pass away at any time leaving behind some dependents. Life insurance offers protection to your family when you die, and they get the benefits as a lump sum when you die. You can privately acquire life insurance, but this option is expensive since these policies are offered through employers in most cases.
Medical Insurance
Medical insurance is probably the most important benefit that you should know of and must have. Health care is costly, and few people can afford it out-of-pocket without insurance. You can consider getting individual or group insurance as a matter of personal preference. There are various types of group insurance available in the healthcare marketplace, and these are designed to suit the needs of different people. These insurance plans cover surgeon and physician fees, prescription drugs, and hospital rooms. Coverage can also include your family depending on the type of policy that you hold.
The industry usually determines health insurance policies, and employers may pay the entire premium for their employees. In some instances, the employer just pays a part, and the employees top up the difference. Living without medical insurance is a great risk since anything can happen. Most employers offer group policies that cater to the universal needs of the majority of people in the company.
Disability Benefits
Workplace injuries are common, and they can incapacitate you for a specific period or you may suffer permanent disabilities. When you are not able to perform your job, you will lose some income and this can affect your welfare and that of your family. When you are eligible to get this benefit, it protects you when you are incapacitated. This type of benefit includes short term disability insurance that covers a few weeks following your accident. It usually lasts a short period when you are expected to recover fully and return to work. On the other hand, you could be entitled to a long term disability when the injury is permanent. In such a scenario, you may get disability benefits until your retirement age.
Retirement Benefits
As we age, there shall come a time when we leave employment and retire. Therefore, retirement benefits aim to help different people with a pension or income that can sustain their lives and families when they leave their careers. There are two types of retirement plans that include defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans. Defined benefit plans are also called pension plans, and the benefit amount is usually predetermined by your years of service and your salary. In the case of a defined contribution plan, the employee or employer makes specified contributions, but the benefit amount is attached to investment returns, and these are not guaranteed. A good example is a 401k plan.
Paid Leave
Paid leave or time off is another benefit that you should know since it gives you relief and a short break from work. The common types of paid off time include vacation leave, sick leave, and vacation leave. Some companies combine these so that the employees can use them as consolidated perks during the time of need.
Fringe Benefits
Fringe benefits as the name suggests are often viewed as minor non-cash perks, but they play a pivotal role in attracting and retaining talented workers. They include non-production bonuses, child-care, tuition assistance if you want to take part-time classes.
However, most firms require that employees take courses related to their current job responsibilities as part of career advancement. In most cases, full-time employees are eligible to get fringe benefits, and their job posts also determine the perks they can get.
Many companies offer a variety of benefits as part of service packages that are designed to protect the interests of the employees. An organization that offers lucrative benefits stands better chances of retaining talented employees. Some of the basic employee benefits include health insurance, life policy, retirement plan, paid leave, and disability benefit. Different factors determine your perks like a position in the company and industry.
