Pascale Thomas, a speaker at the marcus evans Corporate Benefits Summit Spring 2010 shares her thoughts on the critical issues facing benefits and compensation executives in North America today.
Interview with: Pascale Thomas, Director, Global Healthcare & Benefits NA, Unilever
Amelia Island, FL, February 24, 2010 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For many employees, the motivation to succeed does not just come from financial incentives. While a competitive salary and financial security remain a top priority, people also seek a rich work experience, feeling part of a team and their organization’s success. An environment that provides the opportunity to learn and develop with rewards and benefits that go beyond a check are key. With 174,000 employees worldwide, Unilever has adopted an all-encompassing approach to keep employees motivated and further the organization’s growth agenda, explains Pascale Thomas, Director of Global Healthcare and Benefits NA at Unilever. Pascale Thomas, a speaker at the marcus evans Corporate Benefits Summit Spring 2010 taking place in Florida, March 7-9, 2010, uncovers the initiatives that contribute to employee well-being and the long-term strategies that produce successful benefit and compensation programs.
What are some of the corporate employee benefits and compensation programs that have proven most successful?
Pascale Thomas: When an employee benefits program provides a total remunerations package that is competitive in the marketplace for its particular demographics, that program proves successful. When we look at the various components of our program at Unilever, whether it is wealth accumulation, securing an appropriate retirement or ensuring that we are developing a culture of health and wellness, we have an all-encompassing approach. We look at the full package we offer and not each component individually, and ensure that their combination provides value to employees.
In your experience, what are the most and least valuable benefits to employees?
Pascale Thomas: The benefits that employees consider most and least valuable vary by geography. The provision of healthcare continues to be first and foremost on the agenda for employees in the US. However, that is not to discount the fact that being able to secure a sound financial future, the provision of an adequate savings plan that is competitive in the marketplace is not also considered a priority.
What productivity and performance enhancement initiatives would you recommend?
Pascale Thomas: In the last few years, we have had a lot of success with our health improvement and wellness initiatives. Our program is a combination of tools and resources that allow employees to make the best use of healthcare services and encourages healthier behavior. A confidential health risk assessment is the entry point of the program, after which we produce a report showing where employees can improve their health. Unilever employees also have access to a personalized health coach who can advise them on exercise, nutrition and the cessation of tobacco use for example. These all fall under the health improvement umbrella and they have been successful in furthering the health culture here.
How can benefits programs be better aligned to organizational needs and goals?
Pascale Thomas: Employees are the backbone of all organizations, and everything must be done with the recognition that the benefits programs should support them. We do not offer our programs in a vacuum, without an understanding of how they can further the growth agenda of our organization. The benefits and compensation program of a company has to be competitive, but also aligned to the organization’s long-term perspective of limiting costs and improving value, to make employees feel enabled to further the growth agenda of the organization.
What are some of the key developments or trends that benefits and compensation directors should take into consideration?
Pascale Thomas: I would advise benefits directors to continue to follow the regulatory landscape, to see how the area of healthcare develops. They could also consider continuing to offer employees a competitive package consistent with their organization’s goals, while also taking into consideration the ageing workforce phenomenon around the world and people’s concerns around financial security. We will continue with our health improvement initiatives, as we strongly believe that healthy workers are more motivated.
What long-term strategies would you recommend to benefits and compensation directors?
Pascale Thomas: It is important to understand what your organization’s business perspective is and link that to employee needs. Benefits directors might consider furthering the goal of attracting and retaining the employees that support their business agenda and to make sure they understand what the entering workforce requires, as they will be the people supporting the organization and the future pillars. Benefits directors should seek out the resources to keep these individuals engaged. At Unilever, employees are a priority and considered crucial to our growth agenda. We have developed a program with that in mind, to ensure that the workforce, both existing and new, receive a program that enables them to further the organization’s agenda.
Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division
Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: [email protected]
About the Corporate Benefits Summit Spring 2010
This unique forum will take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Florida, March 7-9, 2010. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The summit includes presentations on the healthcare reform, maintaining successful wellness programs, and building benefits plans to drive business goals.
For more information please send an email to [email protected] or visit the event website at http://www.corporatebenefitssummit.com/PascaleThomasInterview
Please note that the summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.
About marcus evans Summits
marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit http://www.marcusevans.com
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