Employee benefits that can be of benefit to dependents and spouses are commonly being overlooked and under-used by employees, Jelf has said.
The adviser firm found benefits such as counselling, access to EAPs, information on wellbeing issues and second opinions for medical diagnoses were not being used to their full potential.
Jelf also found more straightforward advantages of PMI schemes - like faster access to consultants and care - were not fully understood, with some employees unsure how to engage with their adviser or insurer to use them.
Jelf stated: "Some of these benefits will be offered to spouses and dependents, and employees need to be encouraged to make sure they understand the detail of their healthcare and protection packages and how they can benefit their families.
"Some older legacy PMI schemes even pick up the cost of premiums in the event of being out of work. When employees purchase supplementary cover privately they may be doing so unnecessarily wasting money, at a time when most people can ill-afford to."
Ronjit Bose, commercial director for Jelf Employee Benefits said employees did not engage with the detail of employee benefits packages until they or their family needed them.
"When employee benefits offer such valuable advantages to families, it's important that the detail is understood," he said.
"We're also calling on employers to play their part and make sure their communication packages fully explain the benefits for dependents."
Jelf has stressed that all benefits should be taken into account, including the pension and how it will affect the family.
Bose said: "When a company looks after an employee's family, engagement is enhanced; many companies may do this but just don't do enough to tell their staff that they do. Communication is the key."
