Survey: Employees not on social media bandwagon for healthcare benefits (7/29)
Many U.S. employees use social media for personal reasons, but a vast majority have not yet jumped onto the social media bandwagon for business use, nor are they interested in receiving information about their health benefits through social media, according to a new survey by the National Business Group on Health, a non-profit group of nearly 300 large U.S. employers.
Nearly one-half (47%) of the 1,500 U.S. employees surveyed said they use Facebook daily or weekly for personal reasons while 45% use text messaging daily or weekly for personal reasons.
Slightly more than one-third said they don't use social media vehicle for personal reasons at all.
However, when it comes to using social media for business purposes, only 7% use Facebook and 16% use text messaging. Additionally, about 8 in ten said they weren't interested in receiving information about their employer-provided health benefits, or tips on how to exercise, eat healthy or save money on health care via Twitter or text messaging.
"While all the rage outside of the workplace is on social media, most employees aren't ready to mesh that part of their routine into the workplace, at least when it comes to health benefits," said Helen Darling, President of the National Business Group on Health. "In fact, a vast majority of workers would prefer their employers stick to tried and true communication methods - mailings to home and e-mail."
Currently, more than 8 in 10 (82%) respondents said that in the last year, they received information on their health benefits (i.e. health insurance, health fairs, etc.) from their employer through mailings to their home; 58% said they received information through e-mails. About one-half (47%) obtained information on their company's web site.
"Despite the current low interest level among workers, at some point social media will begin to resonate especially as young employees enter the workforce and older ones retire. And there are steps employers can begin to take," said Darling. "When developing a communication campaign, employers should consider what the message will focus on and choose a media type that marries well with it. Employers may also want to consider a test pilot with a single location or segment of the employee population."
Nearly one-half (47%) of the 1,500 U.S. employees surveyed said they use Facebook daily or weekly for personal reasons while 45% use text messaging daily or weekly for personal reasons.
Slightly more than one-third said they don't use social media vehicle for personal reasons at all.
However, when it comes to using social media for business purposes, only 7% use Facebook and 16% use text messaging. Additionally, about 8 in ten said they weren't interested in receiving information about their employer-provided health benefits, or tips on how to exercise, eat healthy or save money on health care via Twitter or text messaging.
"While all the rage outside of the workplace is on social media, most employees aren't ready to mesh that part of their routine into the workplace, at least when it comes to health benefits," said Helen Darling, President of the National Business Group on Health. "In fact, a vast majority of workers would prefer their employers stick to tried and true communication methods - mailings to home and e-mail."
Currently, more than 8 in 10 (82%) respondents said that in the last year, they received information on their health benefits (i.e. health insurance, health fairs, etc.) from their employer through mailings to their home; 58% said they received information through e-mails. About one-half (47%) obtained information on their company's web site.
"Despite the current low interest level among workers, at some point social media will begin to resonate especially as young employees enter the workforce and older ones retire. And there are steps employers can begin to take," said Darling. "When developing a communication campaign, employers should consider what the message will focus on and choose a media type that marries well with it. Employers may also want to consider a test pilot with a single location or segment of the employee population."
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