A new report from Aflac shows employers are dangerously out of touch with their workers, significantly overestimating employee satisfaction with benefits and underestimating their financial fragility. The study highlights a major gap between what companies provide and what their staff actually need.
The $1,000 reality check: The financial disconnect is jarring. While 78% of employers believe their teams can handle a major medical expense, 44% of workers say they couldn’t cover an unexpected $1,000 health bill. This highlights a fundamental misunderstanding of employee financial well-being.
Human help wanted: The problem is amplified by a communication breakdown. While companies lean on automated systems, over a third of employees want one-on-one help to understand their benefits, but only 28% of employers offer it. This desire for a human touch, however, doesn’t mean workers are anti-tech; for younger generations, a slick digital experience is a deal-breaker.
The report underscores that simply offering benefits isn’t enough. Without clear, consistent communication and a mix of human and digital support, companies risk their investment in benefits going to waste, leading to a dissatisfied and financially stressed workforce.
This disconnect on benefits isn’t monolithic, as new research also shows that each generation views employer benefits through a different lens, adding another layer of complexity for employers to navigate.
A new report from Aflac shows employers are dangerously out of touch with their workers, significantly overestimating employee satisfaction with benefits and underestimating their financial fragility. The study highlights a major gap between what companies provide and what their staff actually need.
The $1,000 reality check: The financial disconnect is jarring. While 78% of employers believe their teams can handle a major medical expense, 44% of workers say they couldn’t cover an unexpected $1,000 health bill. This highlights a fundamental misunderstanding of employee financial well-being.
Human help wanted: The problem is amplified by a communication breakdown. While companies lean on automated systems, over a third of employees want one-on-one help to understand their benefits, but only 28% of employers offer it. This desire for a human touch, however, doesn’t mean workers are anti-tech; for younger generations, a slick digital experience is a deal-breaker.
The report underscores that simply offering benefits isn’t enough. Without clear, consistent communication and a mix of human and digital support, companies risk their investment in benefits going to waste, leading to a dissatisfied and financially stressed workforce.
This disconnect on benefits isn’t monolithic, as new research also shows that each generation views employer benefits through a different lens, adding another layer of complexity for employers to navigate.
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