Over the years, we’ve seen countless employers fall into the same trap: designing benefit programs without truly understanding their workforce’s unique needs.
This “one-size-fits-all” approach is not just outdated—it’s potentially costing you employee satisfaction and retention.
I am always shocked when meeting with employers and reviewing their benefit programs. When I ask for feedback on their existing benefits program, most provide MACRO feedback — what they believe is working and what’s not. They do not take their own workforce into consideration when designing their program. They are only considering broad, surface-level observations about what might work.
What they are missing is that each workforce is diverse and benefits preferences vary significantly across different age groups and life stages. An older employee might prioritize comprehensive health coverage and retirement planning, while a younger team member might value flexible spending accounts, mental health resources, or student loan assistance.
Without direct input, you’re essentially guessing.
Most employers are operating with this dangerous blind spot, creating benefits strategies that look good on paper but fail in practice.
Implementing a Strategic Benefits Assessment
To create a truly tailored benefits program, we recommend a two-pronged approach:
MACRO Level Assessment
- Review overall company demographics
- Analyze industry benchmarks
- Evaluate current benefits utilization
MICRO Level Feedback
- Conduct employee surveys
- Host focus groups
- Create multiple channels for benefits communication and feedback
You need to gain a better understanding of your team’s level of satisfaction with existing benefits and/or what is important to them. This is how you get that MICRO feedback.
The Bottom Line
A truly tailored benefits program can only be achieved with both MACRO and MICRO feedback — when both employer and employee feedback are taken into consideration.
A benefits program is more than a checklist—it’s a strategic tool for employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention. By combining macro insights with micro feedback and implementing multi-channel communication, you transform your benefits from a standard offering to a competitive advantage.
Ready to eliminate the blind spots in your benefits strategy? Visit us at www.dsgbenefits.com or connect with us on LinkedIn to learn how we can help create a benefits program that truly serves your workforce.