The survey reveals the benefits provided by Florida employers, reports EAF

Longwood, FL -- (SBWire) -- 08/17/2015 --Employers Association Forum (EAF) recently released the 2015-2016 Florida Employee Benefits survey. This survey covers a variety of topics important to Florida employees, including health and wellness benefits, pay practices, paid time off and more. With the publication of the survey results, employers learn that 75 to 80 percent of health care premiums are covered by companies and the average number of sick days currently provided is nine. In addition, 24 percent of employers allow their exempt employees the opportunity to telecommute. Companies find this information helpful when developing or updating their benefit packages for their staff.

"One should never discount the importance of employee benefit packages. According to Employee Opinion Surveys conducted by EAF, benefit packages affect employee engagement and commitment to employers. When benefit packages meet the needs of employees, companies gain a significant advantage over their competitors with regards to attracting and retaining individuals," Rita Manny, spokesperson for Employers Association Forum, Inc. (eafinc.org), reports.

Health insurance benefits play a large role in one's decision as to where to work. Employees remain focused on the rising cost of health care along with retirement security, and this helps to explain why the majority of companies continue to offer these benefits. In previous years, health care benefits carried more weight than retirement benefits, according to a separate study by Towers Watson, yet the gap between the two has narrowed significantly. Employers must take this into consideration when creating a benefits package.

EAF's Florida Employee Benefits survey found that 98 percent of employers offer dental insurance benefits and 90 percent offer retirement benefits, such as a 401 (k)/403 (b) or 457 retirement benefit. Ninety-three percent offer life insurance in their benefit package and most companies continue to pay 75 to 80 percent of the health insurance premium for single coverage. Benefits such as this help to attract and retain skilled workers.

"Other notable statistics from this survey include the fact that 75 percent of companies now provide nine sick days and employees typically obtain eight days of vacation after one year of service. Furthermore, over 75 percent of companies offer short term disability benefits. Companies wishing to attract employees need to keep this information in mind to ensure they are providing the benefits employees most want and need, as well as the benefits their competitors offer," Manny declares.

About Employers Association Forum, Inc. (EAF)
A non-profit corporate member-based organization, Employers Association Forum, Inc. (EAF) remains dedicated to serving and supporting businesses and the human resources community with world-class HR tools, hotlines, legal compliance, news, trends, surveys and economic data, benefits, insurance and risk management. In addition, the association provides training, consulting and organizational and leadership development. Now celebrating its 35th year, EAF proudly supports more than 1,500 individuals from 600 member companies of all sizes, in a variety of industries.