Wow your employees with a cafeteria of benefits

Libby Sartain wrote in her book HR from the heart: Companies that want to encourage long-term relationships with their employees do everything they can do to help them build futures that count. This means not only comprehensive and easily affordable health care, but opportunities to build financial security, opportunities to provide for retirement income, and benefits that support diverse families and lifestyles. These benefits say that we want to try to provide for the needs of all kinds of employees. To get the most bang for your benefits’ buck, benefits must be well communicated and understood and must be tied to the culture of the organization. At the best companies, employees are offered the choice of covering their families and partners; health, wellness, recreation are emphasized; work-life benefits are there for families, flexible work arrangements are sponsored; and there is paid time off when needed.

Intel Philippines is one example of companies who want to keep their employees and take care of them. In their website http://www.intel.com/jobs/philippines/bencomp/benefits.htm, they detailed their employee benefit package, thus:

Intel’s benefits plans are designed to keep employees—our most important asset—healthy and productive. Our benefits are generous and personalized, in many cases letting employees choose the options that are right for themselves and their family.

Medical & dental benefits: All eligible Intel Philippines employees are covered under a comprehensive medical and dental benefits program. Supplemental coverage is extended to eligible dependents on a cost-sharing basis.

Retirement: Intel Philippines provides a retirement plan to regular full-time employees. Employees are entitled to a normal retirement benefit when they reach age 60 or have completed at least 20 years of service with the company, or in the case of death or total and permanent disability.

Eligibility for partial retirement benefits begins after 10 years of service.

Life & accident insurance: All Intel Philippines employees are provided with coverage to provide for their family’s economic well-being in the event of their death or permanent incapacitation.

Supplemental insurance is also provided for accidental death and critical illness cases. Employees are also covered under business travel insurance for injuries that may occur while on business travel.

Paid time off: Vacation Time—-Intel Philippines employees receive 13 days vacation leave per year to pursue recreational interests and enhance family/personal life. Personal Absence—Intel Philippines employees receive 13 days of personal absence per year. These days may be used for sickness and emergencies that require the employee’s attention. Bereavement Leave—Intel Philippines employees receive two days of bereavement leave in the event of the employee’s spouse, child or immediate parents’ death. They also pay government required leaves and holidays.

Other benefits: Employee Assistance Program—The Employee Assistance Program provides employees and their eligible dependents confidential and convenient access to short-term professional counseling services at no cost. Employee Discounts—Employees save money on a variety of products and services though a number of online resources and on-site stores.

Recreation Facilities and Programs—Employees may use company recreational facilities and participate in a wide range of company-sponsored recreational programs.

Food Subsidies: Meal Subsidy—This subsidy is provided to employees to financially assist with meal expenses during work days. Rice Subsidy—This subsidy is provided to further assist employees and their families in meeting their basic nutritional requirements.

Car/Home Loan: Intel is committed to supporting the well-being of employees and their families.

Upon completion of a six-month probationary period, exempt employees can qualify for a car or housing loan. The loan amount depends on an employee’s ability to repay funds based on his or her net monthly income.

Education: Intel is committed to the professional growth of its employees and offers a range of internal and external educational opportunities.

Intel University—Our worldwide training organization, Intel University, focuses on Intel culture, career and manager development, and new employee orientation and integration. Intel U provides worldwide administration and delivery of more than 2,400 unique instructor-led or online courses.

Over 11,000 Intel employees currently volunteer as instructors, including senior management. In 2005, Intel spent an average of $3,700 per employee worldwide on training and development.

External—To encourage continued education, Intel offers reimbursement for work-related coursework, certificates, degree programs, and foreign language training to eligible employees.

Courses must have either present or future job applicability within Intel and must be conducted at accredited institutions officially endorsed by the regional associations of schools and colleges.

In return, Intel Philippines employees are very productive and competitive and are fiercely loyal to the company. –Moje Ramos-Aquino, FPM, Manila Times

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