Edited by Thorpe Benefits from original article in Canadian HR Reporter, June 2001

Employers should ask themselves: Are you providing a benefits package out of the necessity to stay competitive, with the thought about employee preferences? Or, does your benefit plan take into consideration the individual and diverse needs of your workforce, with a willingness to include non-traditional offerings? 

The employer with the latter philosophy is much more likely to make the investments in time and capital required with a flexible benefits approach.

Regardless of whether the choice is for traditional or flex, the employer still must ensure that the benefits program is an integrated component of a total compensation program that responds to the strategic objectives of the organization.