According to recent national studies of employee benefits trends, employee benefits remain important in supporting an organization’s goals of strong employee attraction and retention.
Last month, the Division of Human Resources hosted the annual Benefits Fair/Faculty & Staff Appreciation event. More than 1,100 Rensselaer faculty and staff attended the event that was held in a new location this year—the East Campus Athletic Village Arena.
“At Rensselaer, we have known for years that a comprehensive benefits package that protects employees and their families is essential to forging a bond between an employer and its employees,” said Curtis Powell, vice president for human resources. “Today, the Division of Human Resources knows that employees who are satisfied with their benefits are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and loyal to the organization for which they work.”
The annual Benefits Fair also marked the kickoff of Rensselaer’s open enrollment period with changes going into effect on January 1, 2014. During the event, individuals were able to receive updates regarding benefit programs and information on the series of healthy campus initiatives offered at Rensselaer. More than 40 benefits vendors participated in the event, providing attendees with an opportunity to learn more about specific programs, ask questions, have fun, and win prizes. Participating vendors included: Capital District Physicians Health Plan, MetLife, AIG, Zurich, Charles Herman & Associates, Pinch Hitters, TIAA-CREF, Fidelity Investments, United Way, Capital EAP, Bank of America, and Benelogic, as well as Rensselaer Athletics, Payroll, and Public Safety.
Additional activities included wellness presentations, body mass index analysis, personal health assessments, stress management techniques, education to prevent heart disease and education for healthy eating, and free chair massages. In addition, 150 free seasonal flu shots were given.
“Despite today’s economic climate, we are focused on providing a comprehensive and affordable benefits programs for our faculty and staff, which we believe are appreciated by our employee and has created a peace of mind,” Powell added. “Our goal is that Rensselaer will continue to be recognized locally and nationally for the depth and breadth of its comprehensive and affordable benefits programs.”