03 Oct HR align benefits with business objectives

Originally posted September 24, 2013 by Jennifer Paterson on https://www.employeebenefits.co.uk

Reward and HR professionals are taking steps to ensure that the benefits they offer support the objectives of their organisation, according to research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Its Aligning strategy and benefits survey, which is based on responses from 444 organisations, found there is also a strong correlation between workplace outcomes and transparency in employee benefits.

Organizations that prefer to be more transparent about their benefits schemes are more likely to have good employee relations, increased productivity rates, lower absenteeism, good employee retention and low pay discontent.

The research also found that, where respondents’ workforce comprised mostly graduates, there is a higher level of membership in defined contribution pension plans.

Charles Cotton (pictured), reward adviser at the CIPD, said: “HR professionals continually have to ensure that the reward provisions they offer in the workplace are in keeping with the shifting nature of work, and are aligned to both the needs of business and employees and integrated with other aspects of people management strategy.

“Failure to do so will result in inappropriate achievements, skills and behaviours being rewarded and recognised.

“What our research helps to illustrate is that HR [professionals] are not adopting benefits for the sake of it, but are choosing those that match what the firm is trying to achieve. It also shows the impact that employee benefits can have in the workplace in terms of employee retention, absence, productivity and relations.”