Charity employers urged to improve communication of staff benefits

Charity sector employers feel responsible for keeping staff informed about changing pension rules, according to new research.

Online employee benefits platform Mybenefitsatwork polled 100 charity managers and 100 charity staff, and found 92 per cent of employers felt responsible for keeping staff informed about pension rules. Similarly, 82 per cent of staff felt the duty rests with employers.

The staff handbook was used to communicate employee benefits by 49 per cent of employers, and the same proportion used a new joiner induction programme.

A lack of inclination was cited as the reason for not communicating more effectively by 79 per cent of employers, and 31 per cent identified a lack of time.

Resource was considered the biggest barrier to more communication by 63 per cent of employees, while time and costs were identified as barriers by 52 per cent and 47 per cent of employee respondents respectively.

Yet 91 per cent of third sector employers believe that if staff had a full understanding of the employee benefits provided to them, this would make them more loyal and have a positive impact on retention. This figure stood at 89 per cent for those employees surveyed.

Ian Bird, business development director at financial advisers Foster Denovo and founder of Mybenefitsatwork, said it was concerning that so many employers were relying on staff handbooks to communicate benefits.

"The research has uncovered some interesting findings. What is clear is that employers need to become better at communicating the benefits that they offer to their staff. In doing so, their employees are likely to be more engaged and committed to their employer.”

Acevo chief executive Sir Stephen Bubb said when organisations take the time, money and effort to provide staff benefits it is essential that they also communicate them properly.

“With so many changes taking place in the pensions arena – namely automatic enrolment and the introduction of pension freedom – I feel that we have a duty to ensure that third sector staff are well educated and understand the options, so that they can make informed decisions.”