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by William Plymat Jr.
What are Microsoft, AT&T, Kraft Foods, and
many other smart corporations doing that your company should consider
doing? All offer legal plans as a part of corporate benefits, using
the plans as a competitive tool in both increasing employee satisfaction
and recruiting top talent.
According to Jim Brennan, president of Midwest
Legal Services(r), "Many of our clients added group legal insurance
when they realized this is a benefit that delivers a highly valued
service to employees at no cost to the company."
How Group Legal Insurance Works
For a monthly premium of $15 to $20, members receive
legal advice and consultation, negotiation, and trial representation
from a national network of attorneys. Although plans vary, comprehensive
plans cover adoption, property protection, consumer protection,
will preparation, and real estate transactions.
Growth of Company-Offered Legal Plans
In 1997, 7% of employers polled said they currently
offered the benefit, with 14% indicating they planned to offer the
benefit within the next three years.
Employee Benefits
- Savings on attorney fees
- Satisfaction and utilization rates among employees are traditionally
very high
- Employees report reduced legally-related stress
- Because employees know where to turn for legal advice, they
easily and quickly find the help they need
Employer Benefits
- Employee Recruitment Tool
- Employee Retention Tool (through increased employee satisfaction)
- Better job performance: Employees can stay more focused on work
issues, and are less likely to have to take time off from work
to deal with legal problems.
Employers Answering a Need
There is definitely a need for group legal insurance
programs. For example, the State of California found that more than
half of their Employee Assistance Program inquiries concerned legal
issues.
When shopping for a plan, they, like many other
employers, had the following considerations:
- An easy-to-administer program
- A program with no cost to the employer
- Affordable premiums for employees
- Employee access to a toll-free number on a virtually unlimited,
unrestricted basis and access in-office consultation and representation
services as needed
Receive a free copy of "How to Choose
a Group Legal Plan," by William Plymat, Jr., by calling (800)
888-4184. The book explores in detail what considerations benefit
administrators and service managers must take into account when
selecting a group legal insurance plan.
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