An Attractive Benefits Package?

You have been asked to give a 10-minute presentation to a college’s undergraduate HRM class. You have decided to use the following case scenario to spearhead the discussion.

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An Attractive Benefits Package?
Susan greeted Beutan, her next interview applicant. Beutan had an excellent academic record and appeared to be just the kind of person Susan’s company, Jones Investments, was seeking in an investments technician. Susan is the staffing specialist for Jones and had already interviewed two individuals for the position.

Based on the application form, Beutan appeared to be the most promising candidate to be interviewed that day. From his past experience it looked as if he could be in his mid-forties. His address showed that he lived 45 miles away from the Jones facility. The application stated that Beutan achieved a 3.7 GPA in his master’s courses, with a 4.0 in his major field of finance. He achieved his degree a year ago by working during the day and attending classes at night. Beutan was not only treasurer of his district’s financial planning association but also served as volunteer on the high school’s financial advising committee. The recommendation letters in Beutan’s file revealed that he was both active socially and a rather intense and serious student. One of the letters from Beutan’s full-time employer of four years boasted a notable work ethic.

Beutan was laid off due to a cutback in business and was looking again for full-time work.

Susan knew that discussion of benefits could be an important part of the recruiting interview. But she did not know which aspects of Jones’ benefits program would appeal most to Beutan. The company has an excellent profit-sharing plan, although 80% of profits distributions are deferred and included in each employee’s retirement account. Health benefits are also good. It also has long-term care insurance but no short-term care. The company’s medical and dental plan pays a significant portion of costs. A company lunchroom provides meals at prices about 65% less than outside prices. Employees get one week of paid vacation after the first year and two weeks after two years with the company. Five days are provided each year for sick leave. In addition, there are 7 paid holidays each year. Finally, the company encourages advanced education, paying for tuition and supplies for courses directly related to an employee’s job. Under certain circumstances, employees are allowed time off to attend classes during the day. Jones also provides a 50% daycare discount for employees with young children.

After you have read the above situation carefully, respond to the following questions in a slide presentation of about 10 slides.

• What aspects of the Jones Investments benefits program are likely to appeal to Beutan? Explain.
• What aspects of the Jones benefit package would likely be the least appealing to Beutan? Discuss.
• In today’s work environment, what other benefits offered by employers might be attractive to Beutan? Why? Share examples of best-practice benefits offered by employers (discussing at least two employers by name).

Use at least 2 library sources to help strengthen and support your presentation.

Prepare 10 slides and add a voice-over component (in PowerPoint). Be sure to present a list of references at the end of your presentation.

Submit your presentation by the module due date.

SLP Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated using the criteria as stated in the SLP rubric. The following is a review of the rubric criteria:
• Assignment-Driven: Does the paper fully address all aspects of the assignment? Is the assignment addressed accurately and precisely using sound logic? Does the paper meet minimum length requirements?
• Critical Thinking: Does the paper demonstrate graduate-level analysis, in which information derived from multiple sources, expert opinions, and assumptions has been critically evaluated and synthesized in the formulation of a logical set of conclusions? Does the paper address the topic with sufficient depth of discussion and analysis?
• Business Writing: Is the essay logical, well organized, and well written? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work? Are section headings included? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding, or is justification/support instead conveyed through excessive use of direct quotations?
• Effective Use of Information: Does the submission demonstrate that the student has read, understood and can apply the background materials for the module? If required, has the student demonstrated effective research, as evidenced by student’s use of relevant and quality (library?) sources? Do additional sources used provide strong support for conclusions drawn, and do they help in shaping the overall paper?
• Citing Sources: Does the student demonstrate understanding of APA Style of referencing, by inclusion of proper citations (for paraphrased text and direct quotations) as appropriate? Have all sources (e.g., references used from the Background page, the assignment readings, and outside research) been included, and are these properly cited? Have all sources cited in the paper been included on the References page?
• Timeliness: Has the assignment been submitted to TLC (Trident’s learning management system) on or before the module’s due date?

  • Voice-Over: "Let's begin by summarizing Beutan's key characteristics. He's a mature, highly educated professional with a proven track record. His long commute and recent layoff are important factors to consider."

Slide 3: Appealing Benefits to Beutan (Part 1)

  • Bullet Points:
    • Profit-Sharing Plan (Long-Term): Aligns with his financial background and long-term security needs.
    • Health Benefits (Medical & Dental): Crucial for someone in his mid-40s.
    • Advanced Education Support: Given his commitment to learning, this is a strong incentive.
  • Voice-Over: "Beutan, with his finance background, will likely find the profit-sharing plan appealing. The solid health benefits are also vital. His dedication to education makes the tuition reimbursement a valuable perk."

Slide 4: Appealing Benefits to Beutan (Part 2)

  • Bullet Points:
    • Daycare Discount (Potential): If he has young children, this is highly valuable.
    • Company Lunchroom: Provides convenience and cost savings.
    • Strong Work Ethic Environment: The recommendation letters suggest he values this.
  • Voice-Over: "If Beutan has young children, the daycare discount is a significant advantage. The subsidized lunchroom offers convenience. And the company's reputation for a strong work ethic will likely resonate with him."

Slide 5: Least Appealing Benefits to Beutan

  • Bullet Points:
    • Limited Vacation (First Year): One week may be insufficient for someone with his experience.
    • Limited Sick Leave: Five days might be viewed as restrictive.
    • No Short-Term Care Insurance: This could be a concern, especially at his age.
  • Voice-Over: "The limited vacation and sick leave, especially in the first year, might be deterrents. The absence of short-term care insurance is another potential drawback."

Slide 6: Modern Benefits for Beutan (Flexibility)

  • Bullet Points:
    • Remote Work Options: Addresses his long commute and work-life balance.
    • Flexible Work Hours: Allows for better personal and professional integration.
    • Telecommuting options: Helps with travel costs.
  • Voice-Over: "In today's environment, flexibility is key. Remote work and flexible hours can address his commute and improve his work-life balance."

Slide 7: Modern Benefits for Beutan (Wellness & Financial)

  • Bullet Points:
    • Wellness Programs: Gym memberships, mental health support.
    • Financial Planning Assistance: Retirement planning, investment advice.
    • Student loan repayment assistance: If he has student loans, this is a huge benefit.
  • Voice-Over: "Wellness programs and financial planning assistance demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being. Student loan repayment assistance is also a highly attractive benefit."

Slide 8: Best Practice Employers (Example 1: Google)

  • Bullet Points:
    • Comprehensive health benefits, including mental health.
    • On-site amenities (gyms, cafes, etc.).
    • Generous parental leave and family support.
    • Emphasis on employee development.
  • Voice-Over: "Google is known for its extensive benefits, focusing on health, family, and professional growth. This demonstrates a holistic approach to employee well-being."

Slide 9: Best Practice Employers (Example 2: Patagonia)

  • Bullet Points:
    • Environmental advocacy and employee volunteerism.
    • On-site childcare and flexible work arrangements.
    • Emphasis on work-life balance and outdoor activities.
    • Paid time off for volunteer work.
  • Voice-Over: "Patagonia's unique benefits align with its values, emphasizing environmentalism and work-life balance. This appeals to employees who seek purpose-driven work."

Slide 10: References

  • List of APA-formatted references (including at least 2 library sources).
  • Voice-Over: "Here are the sources used in this presentation. Thank you for your time."

Voice-Over Tips:

  • Speak clearly and at a moderate pace.
  • Vary your tone to keep the audience engaged.
  • Use pauses for emphasis.
  • Ensure smooth transitions between slides.
  • Keep the voice-over concise to fit within the 10-minute timeframe.
  • Practice your presentation several times before you record the final version.

Sample Answer

     

Slide 1: Title Slide

  • Title: Attracting Top Talent: Understanding Beutan's Benefit Preferences
  • Your Name, Course, Date
  • Voice-Over: "Welcome. Today, we'll analyze Beutan's situation at Jones Investments and discuss how to tailor benefit packages to attract top talent. We'll explore what might appeal to him, what might not, and examine best practices in today's work environment."

Slide 2: Beutan's Profile

  • Bullet Points:
    • Excellent academic record (3.7 GPA, 4.0 in finance).
    • Mid-40s, working professional.
    • Lives 45 miles away.
    • Strong work ethic, community involvement.
    • Recently laid off, seeking full-time employment.