Meeting Special Needs: A Benefit That Adds Value for Both Employees and Employers

Abstract

For every 1,000 employees, approximately 90 to 150 are parents of children with special needs. These employees face many life challenges, including high out-of-pocket medical costs and intensive demands on their daily time and energy. This largely “hidden” employee demographic provides an opportunity for the human resources professional to broaden a company's benefits package in a way that is a win-win for both employees and employer. By tapping into a comprehensive program that provides no-cost workshops and individualized counseling programs, employers can meet the difficult needs of their workforce; decrease corporate liability; improve employee engagement, productivity and retention; and enhance their reputation as a preferred employer in the labor market. Employees benefit from accessing expertise that can help them plan for their children's future, especially in the area of establishing special-needs trusts that can protect their eligibility for government services long after their parents are gone.