Benefits Surveys
UW System gathered system-wide employee input to better understand the value of our compensation and benefits offerings within the market and identify strategic priorities going forward. Read the summaries of the two benefits surveys:
- Benefits Valuation Analysis (PDF), which compares what UW offers against what other employers offer
- Employee Benefits Preferences Survey (PDF), which asked UW employees what they value about what is currently offered at UW or potential benefits UW could offer
Employee Benefits Preferences Survey Preliminary Findings
In 2018, over 18,400 employees, out of 38,926 (47%) UW System benefits-eligible employees completed the Employees Benefits Preference Survey. The survey assessed the priorities, needs, and wants of employees related to their benefits. UW System is reviewing the survey data and results. In Fall 2019, the survey results will be made available to employees.
- Most valued employee benefit at hire: Type of work and healthcare benefits
- Most valued employee benefit once employed: Pay, healthcare benefits, retirement plans, paid leave, job security and job flexibility
- The importance of pay (ranked #1) declines with age and the importance of healthcare and retirement increases
- Sick leave and income protection are of “above average” importance
- Overall satisfaction levels are generally high regarding benefits. Employee concerns arise in the areas of pay, healthcare costs, and parking
Benefits Value Analysis Preliminary Findings
The purpose of Benefits Value Analysis is to evaluate how well our UW System benefits programs are meeting the diverse needs of our faculty and staff and will help shape our benefits offerings in the future. UW System is working with Mercer Consulting, a third-party research firm, to compare the benefits currently offered to those of peer institutions and other industries.
UW System benefits were compared against other university peer groups including Big 10 universities, public and private universities, as well as compared against Wisconsin peer groups that represent employers who often “steal” employees from the UW System.
Some preliminary key findings are that the UW System provides competitive benefits offerings across both university peer groups and Wisconsin peer groups, especially in the areas of retirement savings and health insurance.
