The Tseng College of Extended Learning
Employee Benefits and Services
INSTRUCTOR:
PHONE:
LOCATION:
EMAIL:
Kalyan S Chakravarty
818.677.2435
Juniper Hall 1204
kalyan.chakravarty@csun.edu
TERM:
COURSE:
TICKET:
UNITS:
Spring 2009
XHRM 908
18763
3.0 CEUs
CLASS MEETINGS: Alternate Saturdays 9 am -12:45 pm. January 24 – May 2, 2009
Course Description:
You will explore the use of benefits and services as a means of attracting and retaining
employees, which should match your company's vision. You will review the history and
philosophy of benefits and services to learn why this area has become so competitive. You will
learn to create and administer a benefits and services program, develop and deliver it to attract,
nurture and retain talent in an organization. Recent innovative approaches to benefits and
services adopted by reputed companies shall be presented for analyses and discussions.
Themes:
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History and philosophy of benefits and services
Retirement, Health and Life Insurance
Paid Time-off from work, Accommodation and Enhancement Benefits
Creation and administration of benefits and services programs
Linking benefits and services to other areas of HRM
Topics:
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History, philosophy and competition
Design/pricing fundamentals
Pensions
Welfare plans/strategies (life, medical, dental, vision)
Cost control
Employee Services
Administration
Legal issues
Syllabus: Employee Benefits and Services: Spring 2009
1
The learning objectives are:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Understand the history of benefits
Understand benefit challenges employers face
Describe various welfare benefits and pension plans
Describe different benefit pricing strategies
Acquire skills to develop benefits and services
Analyze benefit packages
Describe ways to use benefits and services to attract and retain employees
Describe benefits and services relative to total compensation
Textbook:
Joseph J. Martocchio, 2007
Employee Benefits: A Primer for Human Resources Professionals,
3rd Edition (2007), ISBN: 0073381292
Participants should preferably have access to people in their respective organizations,
who are willing to share data related to employee benefits and services exclusively
for academic purposes.
Course Work:
Group Project
Case Analysis/Application Exercises (2)
Quizzes (3)
20 pts
20 pts
60 pts
________
Total: 100 pts
Group Project (comprises 20% of grade)
Participants will form groups of five or less, and each group will conduct an in-depth analysis of
one Firm (a different one for each group). They will collect all relevant data, as much as feasible,
on employee benefits and services, welfare benefits, retirement, health, life insurance, and
pension plans, benefits pricing strategies, etc., pertaining to the firm and analyze them critically
while applying the knowledge and skills gained in the class.
The aspects to be covered should include:
(1) History, philosophy and key purposes of the firm in matters of
benefits and services offered;
(2) Types of employee benefits, both legally required and the
discretionary ones, and their implications;
(3) Different insurance plans and their critical appreciations;
(4) Critically examining different payments for time not worked;
(5) Strategic recommendations of the group based on their analyses.
Syllabus: Employee Benefits and Services: Spring 2009
2
The outcome of the paper should be a better understanding of the practices of the firm and the
ability to understand broad issues relevant to management of benefits and services in general.
Each group will then make a formal presentation of the analysis in the class, with each member
of the group getting an opportunity to deal with a section of the presentation. The total time
allotted for each group will be thirty minutes. Further details shall be provided later in the course.
The completed report must be turned in on the day the group makes its presentation.
Case Analysis/Application Exercise: (comprises 20% of grade)
Throughout the course, there will be two case analyses/application exercises of 10% weightage
to each. They are intended to provide an opportunity to actively experience the reality and
complexity of the benefit issues facing practicing managers and human resource executives
today. Among other benefits, they would help the participants sharpen their analytical and
problem-solving skills.
Each participant will be required to submit a written report on each case, on those days
scheduled in the timetable, presenting a coherent and defensible analysis of the situation based
on employee benefits/services concepts and practices learnt. The report should be an individual
effort without any attempt to share analyses and ideas with others.
Quizzes (comprises 60% of grade)
There will be three non-cumulative quizzes of 20% weightage to each. Each quiz will consist of a
combination of multiple-choice questions, true/false statements and/or short essays, on topics
related to course curriculum.
Punctuality, Attendance and Class Participation
Please come to each class prepared to discuss the readings and assignments and to play an
active role in contributing to class discussions. Those making insightful comments that increase
the level of energy and interest in the topics discussed would definitely make a discernible
impact than others. A superior participation score is given to one who demonstrates the ability to
comment upon the content and the process of our discussions. Some questions to help illustrate
the preferred mode are:
 Does the group become more energized after this person contributes? Is this person
more focused?
 Does this person listen to others and build upon their ideas?
You are expected to attend each class meeting. In the unlikely event that you must miss a
meeting, you are accountable for the course material and class activities missed. Please notify
the instructor in advance to make arrangements to make up this work. Missing class-meetings
could result in an adverse effect on your grade. You must attend at least 80% of the class
meetings in order to receive credit for the course. If you find you are unable to continue in the
course, you must officially withdraw by notifying CSUN Extension in writing. In the event CSUN
is not notified of your withdrawal, you will receive an F for the course.
Syllabus: Employee Benefits and Services: Spring 2009
3
Grading:
Letter grades will be given for final course grade. Any grade less than a C will not count toward
completion of the certificate program.
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
Below 60
A- to A
B- to B+
C- to C+
D- to D+
F
Note:
The reading and homework schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
Should any changes be necessary, every effort will be made to communicate them quickly to
current participants. It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure he or she has the current
schedule.
Confidentiality of class discussions must be respected by all the participants.
You will be expected to read all assignments before class and be prepared to participate
during the lecture portion each session. The book contains information critical to the class.
Assigned readings will be supplemented with supporting lectures.
Syllabus: Employee Benefits and Services: Spring 2009
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Timetable
SESSIONS
TOPICS, TASKS, READINGS
Housekeeping, Course Introduction,
Clarifying Mutual Expectations;
1/24
Introducing Employee Benefits
The Economics of Employee Benefits
Readings: Chapters 1 & 2
The Economics of Employee Benefits – contd.
Regulating Employee Benefits
2/7
Structured Guidelines for Group Project
Skill Practice Session I: The Medical Leave Problem
Readings: Chapters 2 & 3
RETIREMENT, HEALTH and LIFE INSURANCE:
2/21
Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
Health Insurance Programs
Skill Practice Session II: Controlling Employee Benefit Cost
Readings: Chapters 4 & 5
Quiz 1
RETIREMENT, HEALTH and LIFE INSURANCE:
Employer-Sponsored Disability Insurance and Life Insurance
3/7
Group Project – Update
Readings: Chapter 6
Case Analysis 1: Retiree Health and Pension Benefits
Syllabus: Employee Benefits and Services: Spring 2009
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Timetable
SESSIONS
TOPICS, TASKS, READINGS
RETIREMENT, HEALTH and LIFE INSURANCE:
3/21
Government- Mandated Social Security and
Workers’ Compensation Programs
Skill Practice Session III: The Lost Vacation Days
Readings: Chapter 7
Quiz 2
SERVICES:
Paid Time-Off and Flexible Work Schedules
Accommodation and Enhancement Benefits
4/4
Readings: Chapters 8 & 9
Case Analysis 2: The Educational Leave Problem
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION and
GLOBAL ISSUES
4/18
Employee Benefits System
Non Plans for Highly Paid and Executive Employees
Global Employee Benefits
Skill Practice Session IV: Flexible Benefit Plan Choices
Readings: Chapters 10, 11 & 12
Preparatory Work for Group Project Presentation
Quiz 3
5/2
GROUP PROJECT: PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS
Syllabus: Employee Benefits and Services: Spring 2009
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