Dive Brief:
- Men are more likely than women to leverage their employee benefits, a new study by benefits technology provider Businessolver found. According to Benefits Pro, the study also shows that men are more satisfied than women with their benefits.
- The benefits men are more likely to use than women are child care (9% compared with 2%); personal time off (9% versus with 4%); flexible schedules (15% compared with 9%); paid leave (7% compared with 1%); and unpaid leave (9% compared with 3%), Benefits Pro reported.
- More men (87%) than women (75%) in the survey said their employer's maternity benefits are sufficient. And while 90% of men think their employer's contribution to their retirement plan is good, just 77% of women feel the same way.
Dive Insight:
As research continues to show that women bear the brunt of family caregiving responsibilities, the finding that men are more likely than women to use childcare and paid leave benefits is an interesting one.
Some studies have shown that women who take time off, especially for caregiving responsibilities, are more likely than men to be perceived as less serious about their careers, possibly prompting women to rein in their usage of such benefits. A Yale University study, for example, found that being available 24/7 helps employees advance at work.
To ensure that employees aren't worried about gender discrimination and their opportunities for advancement, HR can direct managers to encourage workers to take time off as needed. When employees make use of these benefits, employers often enjoy better engagement and retention.
