If you've said yes or even dared to smile because there was a semblance of recognition to any of that, don't worry, you're not alone. One of the biggest mistakes employees make today is not taking the time to fully understand what benefits are offered and not enrolling. Each benefit needs to be examined to learn what is actually being proposed and how it fits your individual needs. Whatever you do, don't get overwhelmed and throw the information in the garbage. David Neikrug, president of Chicago-based The Hakol Benefits Group, says one of the best ways to approach this mountain of information is to divide it into categories.
Many employers are aware that their employees are overwhelmed.
A trend that's taking hold more and more in companies is employee education. After all, says Kathy Hugh, communications consultant at Chicago-based Hewitt Associates, employers offer the benefits to attract, retain and motivate employees. Recognizing this, an employer may set up various seminars for their employees, each focused on a particular benefit. The proliferation of the Internet and Intranet has enabled many companies to set up Web sites so their employees can access benefit information from either their desktops or from the comfort of their homes. If you still can't bring yourself to read the pamphlets or you don't have a computer to access your company's site, Employment Review gives you a look at each major benefit.