Introducing Benefits Beat, Nayya's first video series where we ask real people real questions about their real employee benefits. In our first Benefits Beat video, we had the pleasure of speaking with a passionate teacher who shared her candid thoughts on the complex world of employee benefits. Here are some highlights from our conversation:

Balancing Paycheck Deductions and Benefits:

"As a teacher, my paycheck isn't huge, so I'm always weighing the cost of benefits against their potential use," she explained. This common dilemma showcases the balancing act many professionals face when deciding how much of their hard-earned money should go towards benefits.

Seeking Help with Benefits:

"When you have questions about your benefits, who do you typically ask?" she revealed, "My mom. Just because I tend to do my benefits at home, and at my school, we don't have anyone specialized in that." This underscores the importance of accessible, expert advice for employees making crucial benefits decisions.

Confidence in Benefits Selection:

"On a scale of one to ten, how confident are you after you select your benefits that you'll have what you need?" She rated her confidence at a seven, pointing out the gap in readily available guidance. Relying on her mother for advice, who is not up-to-date with the current teaching profession, highlights a common challenge.

Value of Health Insurance:

"What benefit do you value most at your current job?" Without hesitation, she answered, "Health insurance. Even though it's terrible, you need it for the doctor, the dentist, and all that stuff." This starkly reminds us of the essential role health insurance plays in employee satisfaction and well-being, despite its perceived quality.

Impact of Health Insurance on Job Decisions:

Reflecting on her career, she noted, "When I taught in Virginia, that was a really big incentive. We had really great health insurance, really low copays, and a large network of doctors. When I moved, I was weighing the health insurance of the public school versus what I valued as a teacher. Unfortunately, health insurance lost out." This poignant admission highlights how significant health insurance is when evaluating job opportunities.

Our conversation with this dedicated teacher sheds light on the real-life impact of benefits on professionals. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of making informed decisions and advocating for better support and resources within the workplace.

Watch the full interview below to gain more insights and join the conversation on how we can improve benefits for all employees.