While nearly 60% of the firms researched expected to institute further workforce reductions before the end of the year, there were signs of hope on the benefits side. For example, 58% of the respondents indicated they would increase employee contributions to health and group benefit programs in the second half of the year.
In addition, half of those polled said they would instigate cost-sharing with their staff and 41% will offer lower-cost plan options. Another key part of the research is that 94% had not eliminated benefits to control expenses nor planned to do so next year.
