Aflac workforce report highlights importance of voluntary benefits in workplace

A new report reveals a high correlation between satisfaction with one’s job and satisfaction with employer-provided benefits.

Aflac, Columbus, Ga., released this finding in its 2012 Aflac Workforces Report, which surveyed 1,876 benefits decision-makers and more than 6,100 U.S. workers. Conducted by Research Now, the report contains two components of research among the U.S. workforce: employer research and employee research.

Nearly three in four workers surveyed (73 percent) who say they are extremely or very satisfied with their benefits package also say they are extremely/very satisfied with their job. This compares to only 33 percent of workers who say they are extremely/very satisfied with their job but who also are dissatisfied with their benefits package.

According to the AFLAC study, nearly half (49%) of workers are at least somewhat likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months. And 27% are very or extremely likely.

The study also finds that workers who are extremely or very satisfied with their benefits program are six times more likely to stay with their employer, compared to those workers who are dissatisfied with their benefits program.

When asked how influential a benefits package is in their decision to leave a current employer, one-third (34%) say very or extremely influential. And when asked what their current employer could do to keep them in their job, 49% say “improve my benefits package.”

Most employers (60 percent) say they would be interested in purchasing voluntary insurance. And nearly one-third of workers (32 percent) say “maintaining my healthcare benefits” and 22 percent say “increasing out-of-pocket expenses” are the most important issues for them now.