Benefit costs, employee engagement are top challenges as businesses recover from the recession

(From Business Wire) -- As they recruit and rebuild after the economic crisis, what concerns top the priority list for human resources leaders? Managing benefit costs followed by improving employee engagement, according to a new survey commissioned by employee benefits provider Unum in partnership with Harvard Business Review Analytic Services.

Next on the list are improving recruitment of quality employees and dealing with the impact of health care reform.

"Human resources leaders are walking a tightrope in balancing these demands, and they're telling us that the pressure is only going to increase," said Mike Simonds, senior vice president for Unum. "Employee benefits providers need to take an active role in helping them balance costs and build a culture that contributes to an engaged workforce."

Among the findings of the survey of nearly 400 human resources decision-makers:

• Nearly 60 percent said managing benefit costs is a top challenge, and nearly 80 percent expect that challenge to intensify in the next three years.
• Forty-five percent said improving employee engagement is a top challenge, and 70 percent expect that challenge to intensify.
• More than 40 percent said recruiting quality employees is a top challenge, and nearly 60 percent expect that challenge to intensify.
• Nearly 40 percent said dealing with the impact of health care reform is a top challenge, and 80 percent expect that challenge to intensify.

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