Second Annual Employee Benefits Survey Reveals Growing Disconnect in Workplace Benefits

NEW YORK - April 2, 2025 - PRLog -- This year, as we approach Employee Benefits Day on April 2, new data from the Jazmarc Services 2025 Employee Benefits Report, with national research conducted by Wired Research, reveals a widening gap between the benefits employees want and what employers are providing.

The second annual report, based on surveys of 2,000 U.S. employees and 200 HR leaders shows that benefits remain a critical factor in talent attraction and retention, but employers are struggling to keep pace with shifting employee expectations.

Employees continue to prioritize foundational benefits, yet access is declining:

• Short-term disability: 85% say it's important, but only 61% are offered it (down from 67% in 2024)
• Long-term disability: 84% say it's important, but only 57% report it's available (down from 64%)
• Long-term care insurance: 80% say it's important, yet only 48% have access (down from 56%)

Benefits directly impact employment decisions:  Despite fewer benefits being offered, 96% of HR leaders acknowledge that candidates consider benefits either just as important (50%) or more important than salary (47%).  In fact, 84% of employees say benefits impact whether they accept a job offer.

Employers may be out of step:  While 99% of HR leaders believe employees are satisfied with their benefits, 70% of employees give their benefits a grade lower than an "A". While 79% of HR leaders think their offerings are better than competitors', 57% of employees believe their benefits are worse, or at best, on par with competitors.

Customization is key:

• 45% of employees want a flexible benefits package
• 41% would reject a job offer if the benefits they need weren't included
• 35% expect a mix of traditional and non-traditional benefits

"The 2025 Employee Benefits Report highlights that there's a growing disconnect that employers can't afford to ignore," says Joshua Marcus, founder of Jazmarc Services.  "Today's employees are clear about what they value but many organizations are missing the mark. Benefits aren't a 'nice-to-have' today, they're a deal breaker," he adds.

"The research shows a growing urgency for employers to reevaluate their benefits strategies," says Danielle Sherman, founder and CEO of Wired Research. "Employees are more benefits-savvy than ever before and more likely to take action when their needs aren't met."

For more information about the research and to get a copy of the 2025 Employee Benefits Report, visit Jazmarc Services at www.jazmarcllc.com.  Alternatively, reach out to Wired Research at info@wiredresearch.com.