With all the uncertainty in the world today, many of your employees are probably dealing with increased anxiety and stress, potential financial hardship, and struggling with new and unfamiliar life circumstances. There is help available! Here are three great, inexpensive benefits that you can provide to your employees to help them navigate the “new normal.”
Identity Theft Protection In 2019, almost 15 million Americans became victims of identity fraud; that’s 1 in 15 people. In 2020, it we are seeing a new victim of identity theft every 2 seconds. Compound that with more and more folks working remotely, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we really have set the stage for the perfect storm. The risk of a data breach, hack, or unintentional release of sensitive information has never higher. However, business owners can go a long way towards protecting their employee’s well-being by offering an Identity Theft Protection Plan. We recommend IDShield. IDShield offers low cost individual and family plans that provide 3 key benefits to members:
Identity Consultation Services. This includes direct assistance with privacy concerns, security best practices, and event driven consultation and support (think data breach, hack of personal information, or stolen wallet/ID/credit card).
Security Monitoring. IDShield continuously monitors a litany of personal information to include credentialing (ie username/password combinations); court records; credit tracking, monitoring, and alerts; payday loan monitoring; and address change verifications. They will even monitor social media platforms and maintain continuous dark web surveillance.
Identity Restoration. Probably the most valued benefit is IDShield’s identity restoration services. IDShield has teams of licensed Private Investigators that will work on your employee’s behalf to get them back to “pre-theft” status. Furthermore, IDShield provides a $1M protection policy to cover costs incurred as a result of identity theft. This includes lost wages, travel expenses, elder and childcare, legal consultation, and CPA costs. This can be a real life saver!
Legal Assistance Plan The appearance of the novel Corona Virus has shaken the world and dramatically altered all our daily lives. Your employees are probably not alone in wanting to ensure their affairs are in order or in wanting assistance in dealing with issues that they likely have never had to deal with before. LegalShield offers 5 key benefits to its members through high-quality local law firms in their area.
Legal Advice. Members receive unlimited toll-free phone consultation to discuss any potential legal situations that they may find themselves in. The company provides a great 100 reasons why list that outlines examples that include family law, contract law, real estate law, and many others. Many of our client’s employees are currently dealing with COVID related legal issues surrounding rental agreements, gym memberships, and other financial contracts.
Letters and Phone Calls on Members Behalf. Trust us when we say that a call, or a letter, from a licensed attorney goes a long way towards resolving issues expeditiously. LegalShield attorneys will place phone calls and draft letters on their members behalf. This type of focused attention can save members a ton of time, money, and legal headaches.
Contract and Document Reviews. Having trouble understanding an agreement or contract? LegalShield attorneys will review contracts and explain their meaning in layman’s terms to make sure members understand their rights are the consequences of signing. This is often very valuable since many people have found out the hard way that “the large print giveth and the small print taketh away!”
Motor Vehicle Services. Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket and had to miss a day of work to attend traffic court, only then to find that your insurance premiums went up at the next renewal? LegalShield attorneys work on your behalf to help resolve traffic violations saving time and money.
Will Preparation and Review. For many members this is worth the cost of membership, all by itself. With basic will preparation costing anywhere between $500 and $1500, members can find immediate value in taking advantage of LegalShield’s will preparation services. This service includes a comprehensive will, a living will, and healthcare power of attorney. In today’s uncertain world, many of our clients find peace of mind in having this difficult task taken care of.
Employee Assistance Program If COVID-19 has shown us anything, it is that life is unpredictable; and you never know what your employees may be experiencing on a daily basis. But we all know that every business runs on the same thing - the energy of its people. When your employees can effectively manage their personal ups and downs, they’ll be more productive on the job. EAPs can improve overall employee wellness, reduce absenteeism and turnover, boost morale and cooperation, increase workplace safety, and cut health insurance claims. With an EAP, your employees have access to resources to help them handle life’s everyday – and not so every day – challenges. Relationship issues, anxiety, addiction, aging parents to care for – all can make balancing work and life stressful. EAP services can include the following:
Self-assessments for identifying issues with stress, depression, and substance abuse.
24/7 phone consultation with licensed mental health professionals and referrals to supportive services.
Ongoing personal coaching sessions with scheduled appointments.
Online assistance with eldercare, childcare, parenting, teen and adolescent issues.
Access to health and wellness articles, guides, webinars, podcasts, and calculators.
The best part about employee assistance programs are that they are confidential and are provided to your employees with no cost to them. Employee Assistance Programs can be stand-alone, but many employers can secure these programs at no additional cost, as a free add-on to their existing group short-term or long-term disability plans.
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So, while the recent pandemic, social distancing restrictions, and the shift to remote work environments has undoubtedly created new and additional anxiety for you and your employees, there are programs available to assist you. These programs (IDShield, LegalShield, and EAP) are affordable, and can be offered as employer paid or on a voluntary basis. If you have any questions about these programs, would like additional information, or would like ESEBG to educate your employees about them, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@flightplanbenefits.com or by phone at (919) 925-3345.
Stay safe and healthy everyone!