The benefits are usually intangible bonuses, and they are different depending on the company you choose as your employer. Organizations offer benefits to their staff for them to get as much comfort as possible in their workplaces. The best company to work for will provide you with a package that benefits you the most. If you have received a job offer, the following are four of the employee benefits you should not ignore before signing the acceptance contract:
1. Consider the Insurance Coverage Plans Provided
In today's world, healthcare has become very expensive, leaving individuals and households with no other option but acquiring health insurance to cater to their different health needs. Therefore, health insurance is one of the most vital things you need to consider before accepting any employment opportunity. Most organizations offer health insurance to full-time workers only. However, some others provide insurance plans for part-time and contractual employees.
Employers enter into agreements with their preferred insurance companies and leave their staff to select their most favorable packages. The arrangement involves the employee financing an amount for the insurance plan and paying the remaining part, usually less. Although most employers do not negotiate insurance coverage with their staff, ask the kind of plan to expect from the company before accepting the job offer. Some organizations also provide their employees with dental, mental health, life, or disability insurance plans.
2. Check Out the Off Day and Vacation Benefits
You also need to know how the employer handles the days you'll be away for vacation and personal matters. You will need to get time to do things that are not job-related. Many companies pay their staff for days they spend on personal stuff and vacation. However, the off days vary from one company to the other depending on the kind of services you provide.
If you get a job offer from an organization that doesn't give room for negotiating salary and insurance coverage, then why not discuss the off days? Before signing the contract, find out if the employer accrues the whole year's vacation days or considers them as the year starts. Additionally, find out if you can rollover the off or vacation days to the following years if you spend just a part of them by the end of one year. Some organizations also compensate their staff for all unspent off and vacation days.
3. Will the Organization Provide You with Flexible Working Hours?
Some companies let their employees work at alternate hours. You may find an employer who allows you to work for fewer hours to have time for other personal things like taking care of kids. They may allow you to work for ten hours per week and spend a day off taking care of personal matters.
However, it's essential to understand that not all companies provide the benefits of flexible working hours since it depends on their services and your task in the organization. It may be impracticable for workers needed in the office to provide specific services or organize meetings. You could consider negotiating the flexible working hours benefit if it doesn't appear in the organization's employment benefits package.
4. Does the Employer Provide Paid Leave Days?
The American Family and Medical Leave Act directs all companies with more than fifty employees to provide them with three or more months of unpaid leave for essential personal affairs, medical attention, or childbearing. Please find out your state's conditions concerning the same since they vary from one area to another.
In addition, some companies provide their employees with paid leave days to take care of personal issues. Also, find out if the organization treats paternity leave like maternity leave. Inquire whether the firm pays its employees all the days spent on sick leave each year or it does so for a certain number of days only.
Wrapping Up
The above information clearly shows that the benefits provided by an organization can make you accept or decline a job offer. Employers should introduce more ways to make their employees comfortable apart from paying attractive salaries. Before signing that acceptance contract, check the contents of the employee benefits package and choose the most favorable one for your needs.
