How WhatWorks can help you

Results of the WhatWorks project provide studied thought and observation on employee benefits strategies that will impact business results in a direct and meaningful way. The study results provide timely information and insight that can be immediately applied as an aid in both benefits strategy and improving business performance.

Research design

Based in Atlanta, BenRx is a boutique benefits consulting firm born out of the needs of employers.

Prior to accepting client work, we wanted to be sure we clearly understood the challenges employers face and what they are doing to address those challenges. We also wanted to their perspective on:

• senior leadership engagement in organizational health strategy,
• how HR and benefits functions support their businesses, and most importantly,
• what works, what doesn't, and why.

So we launched a six-month project (WhatWorks Study). The study input was obtained through structured, face-to-face executive interviews of 2.5 hours in length with employers in a wide range of industries.

The average size of participating employers is 13,583 total employees, median size is 5,662

• Benefits strategyBenefits Strategy
  
  Even with multi-million dollar benefits budgets, most employers (56%) do not have a clear, articulated benefits strategy. Across the board, those who DO have articulated strategies get better results. The best-of-the-best differentiate themselves by how effectively they implement and then manage the strategy.
• Alignment of benefits strategy to the business strategyAlignment of benefits strategy to the business strategy
  
  Many executives view benefits as a necessary cost of doing business rather than a strategic lever that creates value. So it's no surprise that they have a limited view on how benefits (and their benefits department) can drive business results.
  
  For example, most agree that employee turnover and absence impact both the bottom line and their ability to carry out the mission of the business. Many are not aware of the degree to which new and innovative approaches in benefits can markedly impact both turnover and absence. Those implementing such approaches effectively are impacting not just benefits plan performance, but business performance as well. The business impact is real, and it can be measured.
  
  Great results in benefits come from sound benefits strategies. Great results in business can be heavily influenced by how those strategies link to the business strategy. Sadly, only 44% of employers have articulated a benefits strategy for the next 18 months, and only 6% for a period longer than that. And these aren't mom-and-pop organizations. The WhatWorks study includes well-regarded "household name" employers who average over 5,000 employees (several with more than 25,000 employees).
• The connection between consumerism, employee diversity, and business resultsThe connection between consumerism, employee diversity, and business results
  
  • Though employee engagement with respect to health care is generally low, employers whose people are more engaged in health care report that employee turnover is not as serious a business issue as it is for other employers.
  • Employers who focus on diversity as a business issue (which drives employee engagement) report that turnover is less of a problem than it is for organizations with a more limited view. They also report that their employees are more engaged in health and health care. Still, employers who have embraced diversity at an organizational level tend not to contemplate the significant impact of diversity on benefits results.
• What's not workingWhat's not working
  
  • Almost half of employers are not at all convinced that their vendor partners are appropriately identifying large health-care claims in advance or engaging people who need health-care support.
  • Even when large claimants are identified proactively, employers generally have no confidence that they are being appropriately supported with through care management and disease management programs.
  • Consumer-directed health plans have been poorly implemented many instances, resulting in employee confusion and frustration, and a lack of the savings employers had anticipated. Implemented effectively, however, they produce superior results.
  • Off-the-shelf solutions don't work well, and frequently fail to deliver promised benefits and savings.

Special note to health-care and retail industry employers:

BenRx is currently expanding the WhatWorks study
in your industry. Contact us for details.