Brought to You by Benely – Your Trusted Employee Benefits Broker
Why Employee Benefits Matter More Than Ever
Many employers assume that salary is the primary factor driving job decisions. However, research suggests otherwise—workers now prioritize benefits more than ever. According to recent studies, employees are 25% more likely to cite a company’s benefits package as a key factor in choosing an employer compared to a decade ago.
But designing a standout benefits package takes strategy, expertise, and industry insight. That’s where Benely comes in. As a leading employee benefits broker, we help businesses of all sizes craft tailored, cost-effective benefits programs that attract and retain top talent.
This guide walks you through eight key steps to creating a high-impact employee benefits program that aligns with your company’s goals and employees’ needs.
How to Create a Successful Employee Benefits Program
Your employee benefits package is not just an add-on—it’s a core part of your company’s compensation strategy. It impacts recruitment, retention, productivity, and employee well-being. Follow these steps to design a competitive and cost-efficient benefits program.
Step 1: Analyze Employee Needs and Preferences
The best way to build a benefits package that resonates with your workforce? Ask them directly. Conduct surveys or focus groups to understand what employees truly value.
- Healthcare preferences: Do they prefer lower premiums or lower deductibles?
- Retirement planning: Are employees actively saving for retirement?
- Work-life balance: Would flexible work options or mental health benefits be a priority?
At Benely, we help companies collect and analyze employee feedback to ensure your benefits offerings align with what matters most to your team.
👉 Learn how Benely helps companies optimize their benefits strategy here.
Step 2: Research Industry Trends and Best Practices
The employee benefits landscape is constantly evolving. Staying ahead of the curve ensures your company remains competitive.
- Benchmark against industry leaders: What benefits are companies in your sector offering?
- Monitor emerging trends: Mental health benefits, fertility support, and student loan assistance are growing in demand.
- Compliance considerations: Ensure your benefits package adheres to federal and state regulations.
Benely continuously monitors trends and legislative updates to ensure our clients’ benefits programs remain relevant and compliant.
👉 Stay informed with Benely’s latest insights on benefits trends here.
Step 3: Customize Benefits to Reflect Your Company Culture
A benefits package should reinforce your company’s values. For example:
- Health & wellness focus? Consider offering gym memberships or telemedicine services.
- Emphasis on professional growth? Tuition reimbursement and career coaching can set your company apart.
- Commitment to work-life balance? Provide generous PTO and remote work flexibility.
At Benely, we help businesses align benefits with company culture to foster an engaged, loyal workforce.
Step 4: Balance Cost-Efficiency and Value
Every company has a budget, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. The goal is to maximize value while controlling costs.
- Leverage group purchasing power to negotiate better rates.
- Optimize plan design by adjusting deductibles, co-pays, and contributions.
- Take advantage of carrier credits to offset costs and enhance offerings.
💡 Pro Tip: Benely specializes in cost-saving strategies that maintain strong benefits while keeping expenses manageable.
👉 See how we help businesses save on employee benefits here.
Step 5: Craft a Comprehensive Benefits Package
A robust benefits program includes a mix of health, financial, and wellness benefits:
✅ Health Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and mental health services.
✅ Financial Benefits: 401(k) plans, stock options, HSA/FSA accounts, and financial planning assistance.
✅ Wellness Benefits: Employee assistance programs (EAPs), flexible work arrangements, tuition reimbursement, and childcare assistance.
Benely works with top carriers to provide tailored benefit plans that meet both employee needs and employer budgets.
Step 6: Develop a Clear Communication and Rollout Strategy
A benefits package is only effective if employees understand it. Clear communication is key.
- Host open enrollment meetings to explain plan options.
- Create easy-to-understand guides with visuals and real-world examples.
- Offer a benefits concierge service so employees can get personalized guidance.
At Benely, we provide benefits education tools that simplify enrollment and improve employee decision-making.
👉 Learn how we improve benefits communication for companies here.
Step 7: Measure Program Success and Employee Satisfaction
Once your benefits package is live, track its effectiveness using key metrics:
📊 Participation rates: Are employees enrolling in available benefits?
📉 Cost trends: Are claims and premiums aligning with projections?
📝 Employee feedback: Are workers satisfied with their benefits experience?
Regular check-ins and data analysis ensure that your benefits program remains optimized and cost-effective.
Benely provides custom benefits analytics to help businesses continuously improve their offerings.
👉 See how Benely’s analytics tools can help your business here.
Step 8: Adapt to Changing Workforce Needs
Workforce demographics and employee expectations evolve. Your benefits program should too.
- Growing remote workforce? Consider virtual healthcare solutions and flexible PTO.
- Diverse workforce? Offer inclusive benefits like fertility coverage and caregiver support.
- Changing economic landscape? Adjust retirement and financial wellness options accordingly.
At Benely, we help businesses stay agile with benefits solutions that adapt to workforce changes.
Real-World Examples of Exceptional Benefits Programs
Leading companies are raising the bar with creative, people-centric benefits.
🏆 Google: Offers on-site wellness centers, student loan reimbursement, and “work from anywhere” weeks.
🏆 Salesforce: Provides generous parental leave and mental health support.
🏆 Patagonia: Covers daycare costs and offers paid environmental activism leave.
While not every company can match these perks, Benely helps businesses build tailored benefits packages that compete with industry leaders.
👉 Explore how Benely can transform your benefits program here.
Empower Your Workforce with Benely
Your benefits program is a powerful tool for attracting, retaining, and engaging employees. The right benefits strategy:
✅ Enhances employee satisfaction
✅ Strengthens company culture
✅ Improves recruitment and retention
✅ Controls healthcare costs
At Benely, we take the complexity out of benefits design. Whether you’re building a new benefits package or optimizing an existing one, our team of experts is here to help.
👉 Schedule a free benefits consultation today here.
🚀 Let’s build a benefits program your employees will love! 🚀