ILRHR 6685 - Fundamentals of Benefits and the Employee Value Proposition

Spring (seven-week session). 2 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: ILRHR 5600 or equivalent. Enrollment is limited to: 30 students. Preference given to Masters students; seniors may enroll on a space available basis.

D. Kasiarz.

More than ever before, employee benefits are at the center of the conversation as organizations look for ways to strengthen their Employee Value Proposition and create a “Great Place to Work” to compete for the highest caliber talent. The purpose of this course is to provide a strategic overview of the role of employee benefits and how organizations leverage what is often one of the largest and most variable P&L costs. This course will focus on different ways to create a unique employer brand that drives employee engagement with benefits such as health care, wellness, recognition, retirement and savings plans, workplace flexibility, etc. We will address the power of internal employee networks and employer coalitions, as they drive innovation and help business leaders keep a pulse on employee needs. In addition to employee benefits, you will gain an overall understanding of a) U.S. laws and regulatory environment, b) key concepts, c) emerging trends, and other strategic business practices such as creating a compelling business case, influencing and measuring a program’s ROI, in order to maintain an employee-focused workplace. This will be a lecture-style course combined with group discussions, case studies, and prominent guest speakers.