Supporting your staff: what to look for in benefit plans

Community Action, Sept 20, 2004 by Athena Taddei

Working in the voluntary sector, will be beyond doubt, the most satisfying and rewarding employment, you will ever have. Despite the hard work, long hours, limited staff and humble compensation, working for a community-based organization, is your way of contributing to a network of humanitarians that helps our society stay strong and independent. But what about your needs? Sometimes an emotionally rewarding job is just not enough. Who will take care of you, should you require medical attention?

Through focus groups conducted within the voluntary sector by HRVS (Developing Human Resources in the Voluntary Sector), it was discovered that one of the main characteristics of an ideal job was having access to a good benefits plan. This is thought of as being a leading factor in an individual's job search, job satisfaction, and productivity. Creating this secure work environment helps attract and retain qualified employees without the risk of loosing them to other sectors.

Look for a provider that focuses on the needs of community-based organizations and that has designed their plans to cover the high proportion of part-time workers and those with variable working hours in the sector. A not for profit plan provider is your best option. They keep their premiums set only to cover claims and administrative costs and use any surplus at the end of the year to help reduce future premiums. Choose a plan provider that can offer you a choice of different pooled and custom plans to choose from that include: medical, dental, short term disability, long term disability, RRSP Plan, basic group life insurance, optional group life insurance, employee assistance plan (EAP), group home and auto; directors and officers liability/professional and general liability/contents insurance.

Finally, be sure that your provider supports you with it's own plan administration staff and offers administration resources such as: an administration manual and support, employee benefit booklets, monthly newsletters focusing on prevention education and an understandable website with FAQS for quick reference.

Athena Taddei is Marketing Director, OASSIS Not-For-Profit Employee Benefit Plans For Community-Based Organizations