More companies expanding choice, tackling high cost and reallocating benefit spendNEW YORK, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As U.S. employers grapple with heightened economic uncertainty and greater financial pressures on budgets, steering the right course on benefit strategy is more challenging than ever. This is according to a survey by WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company. As a result, companies are turning to smarter spending, sharper focus and using benefits as ...

Core Insights - The 2025 Healthcare Literacy Report by Optavise emphasizes the importance of personalized education in enhancing employees' understanding of their workplace benefits [1][2][8] Employee Satisfaction and Understanding - 74% of employees express high satisfaction with their health plans, an increase from 69% the previous year, while 75% report understanding their plans, up from 68% [2] - Employees increasingly seek assistance from HR teams (40%) and third-party experts (18%), rising from 27% and 15% respectively [3] Access and Confidence - 87% of satisfied employees find it easy to access their benefits, while 58% of those who struggle with access lack confidence in understanding their health plans [4] - Among self-educating employees, only 65% feel confident in understanding their health plan, compared to 82% who receive guidance from HR or experts [3] Cost Awareness - 55% of employees have avoided doctor visits due to cost concerns, with 44% frequently comparing treatment costs and 45% comparing prescription drug prices [5][6] Engagement in Wellness Programs - 86% of employees participate in wellness programs when offered, with high interest in healthy eating (64%), fitness tracking (61%), financial wellness (52%), and mental health counseling (51%) [6] - Personalization in wellness programs is crucial, with 96% of employees valuing tailored benefit options [7] Gaps in Understanding - One in four employees still lacks confidence in understanding their health plans, with key terms like "coinsurance" causing confusion for 17% of respondents [8] - Only half of employees utilize personalized guidance sessions, but those who do find them the most helpful resource [9][10] Onboarding and Education - Benefits education significantly influences job change decisions, with 74% of employees considering benefits programs as a key factor [11] - New employees prefer one-on-one conversations with benefits experts (42%) and enrollment support (36%), with 92% finding presentations helpful during onboarding [12] Conclusion - Proper training, personalization, incentives, and support are essential for employee satisfaction with workplace benefits, highlighting the need for employers to enhance their benefit offerings [13]

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told outraged staffers “it is what it is” during a heated meeting as they pushed back on a stricter return-to-office policy and additional sabbatical requirements.The ride-share giant last week raised its in-office requirement to three days a week, up from two, and took remote work approval away from some staffers, according to CNBC. It also raised the requirement for its popular paid monthlong sabbatical benefit from five years at the company to eight, according to the report. 4 ...