Integrated Benefits Institute

51% of Employers Cited Employee Satisfaction as their Organization's Most Important Goal, According to Integrated Benefits Institute Analysis

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The rising costs of healthcare coupled with the stresses of modern working life have made employee health and well-being an increasingly critical priority for employers. Investing in workplace wellness initiatives yields benefits in productivity, absenteeism, recruitment, retention, company culture, and more. However, designing and implementing impactful programs comes with substantial challenges. Employers must balance quality programming with cost management, account for diverse workforce needs, and leverage data analytics to gauge value.

Key Points: 
  • Investing in workplace wellness initiatives yields benefits in productivity, absenteeism, recruitment, retention, company culture, and more.
  • Employers must balance quality programming with cost management, account for diverse workforce needs, and leverage data analytics to gauge value.
  • To better understand the value of products and programs that support employee health, the Integrated Benefits Institute conducted a mixed methods research study analyzing survey data from 305 HR professionals in the United States alongside qualitative insights.
  • IBI's survey found that 51% of employers cited employee satisfaction as their organization's most important goal, followed by cost mitigation/revenue generation (41%).

The Effect of Long COVID and Chronic Conditions on Employee Productivity and Disability Claims

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 11, 2023

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI), a health and productivity research non-profit, analyzed the impact of long COVID and certain chronic conditions on productivity, disability, and disability claims. The chronic conditions highlighted in the analysis include cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and mental health conditions.

Key Points: 
  • US employees with long COVID along with certain comorbid conditions have a two-fold increase in missed workdays, according to Integrated Benefits Institute analysis
    OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI), a health and productivity research non-profit, analyzed the impact of long COVID and certain chronic conditions on productivity, disability, and disability claims.
  • The prevalence of long COVID has had a profound impact on disability claims, work absences, and healthcare expenses.
  • The study's findings shed light on the complex relationship that exists between long COVID, chronic conditions, and work-related outcomes.
  • Notably, 16% of these STD claims transitioned into LTD claims, resulting in 5,427 cases of long COVID LTD claims.

47% of Employees Say They'll Quit if Employer Orders Return to Office Full Time, According to Integrated Benefits Institute Analysis

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 3, 2023

An IBI study in 2022 found that remote and hybrid employees are 22% more productive, 21% more satisfied, and 51% more highly engaged.

Key Points: 
  • An IBI study in 2022 found that remote and hybrid employees are 22% more productive, 21% more satisfied, and 51% more highly engaged.
  • While multiple studies suggest that most employees want to retain some form of remote work (as many as 89%), some employers are implementing return to the office full or part-time.
  • Only 15.1% of remote-capable employees expressed a desire to return to the office full-time, while significantly more (22.5%) of US employers with remote-capable employees want their employees back in the office full-time.
  • When asked about the top benefits of working at the office, most employees cited socializing (51%) and face-to-face collaboration (47%).

Reimagining Strategies to Improve Employee Attraction and Retention, According to Integrated Benefits Institute Study

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 13, 2023

OAKLAND, Calif. , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the past few years, the dynamics of employee attraction and retention have undergone significant changes. As the world adapts to a new normal, employers must recognize the evolving needs of their workforce and develop effective strategies to attract and retain top talent.

Key Points: 
  • The Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI), a health and productivity research non-profit, conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding employee attraction and retention in the post-COVID-19 era, focusing on how organizations are adapting and prioritizing employee well-being and satisfaction.
  • According to recent research, 61% of employers are having difficulty retaining employees, and 73% are having difficulty attracting employees.
  • To adapt to this changing landscape, employers have made significant changes to attraction and retention strategies.
  • By incorporating these insights into their employer guidance strategies, organizations can create a more engaging, supportive, and connected work environment.

More than Half of Employees Delayed Necessary Medical Care due to Cost, 42% Delayed due to No Appointments Available, According to Integrated Benefits Institute Analysis

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 26, 2023

OAKLAND, Calif., May 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At the height of the pandemic, individuals were asked to delay preventive care and elective procedures to alleviate incidences of community transmission. Many employers are now understandably concerned about the costs of delayed care, and the impact this has had on those with chronic conditions that may have gone untreated over the past three years. In an effort to understand who is delaying care and why they have delayed care, health and productivity research non-profit Integrated Benefits Institute surveyed 5,003 employed individuals in the US.

Key Points: 
  • In an effort to understand who is delaying care and why they have delayed care, health and productivity research non-profit Integrated Benefits Institute surveyed 5,003 employed individuals in the US.
  • IBI's survey found that less than three-fourths of employees are up to date on preventive screenings and immunizations.
  • Fifty-eight percent of employees delayed necessary medical care due to cost or insurance barriers, 42% reported delays because there wasn't an appointment available, and 35% delayed or avoided care due to fear of getting or spreading COVID-19.
  • IBI spoke with two HR executives from large national and global companies about the effects of delayed care among their employees.

The Future of Work Through the Lens of the Employee Experience

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 2, 2023

NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Mediaplanet announces the release of its Future of Work campaign. This campaign will emphasize the importance of building a better workforce by investing in the wellbeing of employees. It also focuses on the advancement of niche industries and how the overall wellbeing of employees would contribute to its further development.

Key Points: 
  • Mediaplanet's Future of Work Campaign brings awareness to the core of the workforce – employees.
  • NEW YORK, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Mediaplanet announces the release of its Future of Work campaign.
  • This campaign will emphasize the importance of building a better workforce by investing in the wellbeing of employees.
  • The print component of the Future of Work campaign is distributed within today's edition of USA Today with a circulation of approximately 145,000 copies and an estimated readership of 450,000.

Remote and Hybrid Work Associated with Higher Rates of Anxiety and Depression, According to Integrated Benefits Institute Analysis

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 20, 2023

OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To help employers better understand and support the mental health needs of their employees, health and productivity research non-profit Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI) conducted an analysis of the impact of the pandemic on mental health.  

Key Points: 
  • According to IBI's analysis, fully remote (40%) and hybrid work (38%) is associated with an increased likelihood of anxiety and depression symptoms compared to in-person (35%).
  • However, overall symptoms of anxiety or depression have declined from 40% during the height of the pandemic to 35% during our study period (7/21-8/22).
  • "This report is a thorough examination of a wide-spread mental health issue – experiences of anxiety and depression symptoms.
  • "This research was conducted to provide employers comprehensive and timely facts, so they can better target programs and benefits addressing mental health."

The COVID-19 Pandemic Cost Employers $213 Billion, with 6.6 Billion Lost Hours of Productivity, According to IBI Analysis

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 17, 2023

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on employee productivity and economic cost. The Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI), a nonprofit research and educational organization focused on workforce health and productivity, analyzed data from the US Current Population Survey (CPS) to estimate the number of lost hours attributed to the pandemic, and the cost associated with the loss of work hours.

Key Points: 
  • The top 5 industries that faced the greatest economic losses were: educational services, health care, and social assistance ($30.8 billion), public administration ($27.1 billion), construction ($23.9 billion), waste management services ($22.4 billion), and manufacturing ($21.5 billion).
  • The first year of the pandemic brought an average increase in lost hours of 39%; however, those who worked as administrative support (46%) or craft workers/artisans (51%) had higher-than-average lost hours.
  • Administrative support (15%) and craft workers (35%) continued to experience higher than average lost hours in the second year.
  • Many lower-wage employees could not avoid face-to-face encounters and were hard hit with lost hours.

American Health Plans Partners with Integrity to Expand Reach and Accelerate Growth

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 29, 2022

DALLAS, Nov. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Integrity Marketing Group, LLC ("Integrity"), a leading distributor of life and health insurance, and provider of wealth management and retirement planning solutions, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire American Health Plans, a health insurance contact center headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. As part of the acquisition, Joseph Karam, President of American Health Plans, will become a Managing Partner in Integrity. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Key Points: 
  • As part of the acquisition, Joseph Karam, President of American Health Plans, will become a Managing Partner in Integrity.
  • American Health Plans is on the path to even greater success with Integrity at their side, and I couldn't be more excited to welcome them to the Integrity family."
  • American Health Plans joins a fast-growing team of leading companies who have experienced the "Integrity Effect" of multifaceted growth through partnership.
  • In addition, American Health Plans gains access to extensive resources that amplify growth and pave the way for product diversification.

40% of Employers Changed Benefit Plans During Pandemic, Added Remote Work, Behavioral Health Programs, and Caregiver Leave

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 17, 2022

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Benefit plan designs have evolved during the pandemic to accommodate culture shifts, emergency protocols, and a desire for more flexibility. As we emerge from the uncertainty of the past two years, employers are considering further changes to benefit plans with cost, attraction, and retention top of mind. In an effort to understand the current benefits landscape, health and productivity research non-profit Integrated Benefits Institute surveyed employers across the US to understand changes to benefits plans during the pandemic, and what's happening now with those changes.

Key Points: 
  • Since the pandemic began, 40% of employers surveyed made changes to their benefit plans.
  • Benefits added during the pandemic include remote work options (42%), EAP/behavioral health (27%), and caregiver leave (20%).
  • Looking beyond the pandemic, employers plan to continue mental health coverage, expand leave benefits, and offer remote or hybrid work options.
  • Looking ahead, employers must incorporate the following in benefit plan design strategy:
    Proceed with caution on cost mitigation, and utilize empathy when considering changes to your benefit plans