Today is National Employee Benefits Day…
How much do you know about your “Benefits Package?”
Seriously.
I know it’s not “sexy” but people are always asking me if their insurance or benefits will pay for outrageous things. Did you know, in fact, that a person actually tried to deduct “underwear” on his tax returns last year? But I digress. The point is we don’t seem to really know our options and where to take advantage, properly.
So… What are your resources? We talk to people on a daily basis who are unaware of the vast array of benefits their employer provides.
For example, one of our amazing groups provides its members with $800 a year in cash incentives for participating in health promotion programs. They work hard on communications and marketing and yet there are still people who are shocked when they discover the benefit.
What’s the deal guys? Are we that oblivious?
The first year we launched our website, we had a couple people call us in an irate stupor, trying to access our annual PATH Adventure. They each said, “This site is horrible! I can’t figure out how to register!” When we apologized and politely asked, “Did you click the big bold word in the middle of the screen that says REGISTER,” they each sloughed it off without so much as a thank you.
I don’t mean this to be a post condemning all our participants to “idiocracy” as I confess there are huge signs I’ve overlooked. Check out this one I walked right by as my friend grabbed my jacket and yelled, “Stop!” What a knuckle head! I took a picture because I thought it was ironic. It’s exactly the kind of boundary we all need at times!
Sometimes we just can’t help ourselves. I get that. It’s what we do to recover that I care most about. It’s the “without so much as a thank you” part to which I draw your attention. It would never occur to me to blame someone else because I didn’t read the big bold print. I was mortified that I’d passed the Keep Off sign.
In fact, I wouldn’t even blame others if I didn’t read the fine print. Caveat Emptor, no? Buyer beware. In this crazy busy world, with human beings at the core, it’s up to us to dig in and discover what’s available, and to remember to be thankful for the exciting options available.
The case of Employee Benefits is no different. We are silly if we don’t take full advantage of the support offered to us in return for our blood, sweat and tears. It’s all part of your total compensation.
Most of us give the best of our heart and soul to our jobs. Sure, some skate by, but that’s another blog post, and I’m convinced it’s a precious few. By and large, people want to do good work. For such effort, people ought to be rewarded. Employers, by and large, are also good and want their employees to succeed and be well cared for.
Make an effort to better your life today by going to your HR, personnel, benefits or business manager to uncover the depth of resources at your fingertips. There’s an added layer as well. Most benefits people work with vendor partners like PATH and insurance carriers to help bring you even more resources for living your best life. Once you know who these partners are, explore them and find out what they have to offer.
The world is yours! And there is a host of support waiting to take up your hand when you’re ready. What better time than now? Why wait for a crisis? Investigate, educate, prepare and grow today.
Oh, and because it’s Monday… Which is usually Olga’s day… And since she is one of your resources… She wanted you to have this little tid-bit for exercise at work:
Take the stairs!
What a difference it can make in your day. Pump that heart, those leg muscles, and all of you – especially when a staircase is this gorgeous!
FYI… Here’s a great toolkit from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) on making your workplace stairs fabulous: “StairWELL”
Tell us your favorite worksite benefit.
See you on the PATH Ahead!