Today's tough economy is taking more than a financial toll on the workplace. Reduced headcount can have a negative effect on the morale of employees who remain, lowering productivity.

However, a new study from Unum reveals a simple way to help keep employees engaged and productive[1]. Our research shows that the right benefits education strategy can significantly boost workplace satisfaction and improve employee engagement.

Effective benefits education can also increase employees' perception of the quality of their benefits and have a positive impact on:

• Employee loyalty
• Reduced turnover
• Improved productivity

Another important finding: our research shows that employees place a high value on voluntary benefits — even though they are the ones who pay for them. These workers showed increased levels of workplace satisfaction compared to those who were not offered voluntary benefits at work.