Week 7 Written Assignment: Tuition Reimbursement Implementation Report

XCOM/285 Essentials of Managerial Communication
May 22, 2011

Robin Minard

The following report was drafted to further explore expanding employee benefits within in the organization. We had a very profitable year and adding tuition reimbursement as an employee benefit for the employees working on their bachelor’s degree in business or communication can be a positive in more than one way. The organization is in the perfect position to proceed with the education reimbursement employee benefit due to the fact that the company has already approved a budget inclusive of this additional employee benefit costs. Expanding the employee benefits to include tuition reimbursement will increase the level professional opportunities ( improvement in self esteem), increase the career options, and improve earning potential, increase employee retention, all having a positive benefit on the organization. National statistics show during the last decade, more companies are offering a tuition reimbursement benefit and are spending more money helping employees get degrees. Universities and community colleges also have started offering more flexible classroom hours for working students and even offer some degrees through online courses ( Schultz, 2007).
An opportunity to obtain a degree will improve the quality of life for our employees. This investment in them will allow them to be the best employees for our organization and individuals for society and members in their families. Being able to further their education will be a boost to the employee’s self esteem. The benefit to the organization will be seen in productivity and a hard working workforce. The tuition reimbursement employee benefit is demonstrative of the commitment and investment the organization is willing to put into the employee. As the benefactors of the tuition reimbursement the employees will be well prepared to take on greater responsibility within the organization.

Communication is one of the majors that the tuition reimbursement employee benefit will cover. A communication major will possess strong verbal and written communication skills a real benefit to the organization. A communication major can obtain jobs such as public relations specialist, PIO Public Information Officer, Publicist and Communication Director. Some of the tasks that these positions can perform within the organization includes preparing information shared with the media, prepare speeches, publicizes the organizations business and prepares newsletters. There is a high demand for educated employees that are up for the job and demands of the organization.

The other major that qualifies for the tuition reimbursement employee benefit will be in Business. Business majors are an asset to the organization as a whole and can be useful in all departments such as finance, accounts payable, personnel, employee relations, marketing, administration, public relations and economic development.

The earning potential for the employees that takes advantage of the tuition reimbursement employee benefit is increased with obtain their degrees in business or communication. Individuals with degrees have better earning potential across the board. The benefits of obtaining a degree are for a life time and their earning power is long term. According to The College Board, the typical full-time year-round worker with a four-year college degree earns more than 60% more than high school graduates over their working lives. Those with master’s degrees earn almost twice as much, and those with professional degrees earn almost three times as much. The benefits to the employees that are significant to them includes a sense of accomplishment, increased abilities in their fields, moving up the ladder and being a good role model.
Another perk to the employee that I do not want to over look that is beneficial to them is that this opportunity is a barrier lifter. Many working adults feel that they do not have the time or the funds to pursue their educational goals. By removing the funding barrier our organization also removes the timing barrier by making it acceptable to pursuit their educational goals and dreams. Happy confident employees make better employees. The tuition reimbursement employee benefit will help ensure that the employees that take advantage of this benefit will overcome such obstacles.
In addition to employee retention the investment in our organization’s employees is limitless. The tuition reimbursement benefit will also attract new employees, quality employees. The other benefit can include the potential in house training and a quality work force. Above all moral is impacted in a big way and a loyalty to the organization boosting productivity and quality.
In closing a tuition reimbursement employee benefit would be the best investment in the future of the organization. We will have educated quality employees that will be loyal to the organization for the long haul. The employees will value their positions and their sense of place. We will have to develop a policy for the new employee benefit and there should be some discussion on ranges and what qualifies the employee for the benefit. Continuing education and providing educational assistance to employees could be important component to add to the current benefit package. It should be our organizations goal to assist in the professional and personal growth of our employees. Establishing and following through with a tuition reimbursement employee benefit will be beneficial to us as an organization and our employees. Due to the fact that the organization is in the perfect position to implement this employee benefit, it is recommended to move forward with further exploration of the logistics. The profitable year that we experience coupled with the relationship we have with our employees are key reasons to moving forward by adding tuition reimbursement as an employee benefit for the employees working on their bachelor’s degree in business or communication can be a positive in more than one way. Expanding the employee benefits to include tuition reimbursement will increase the level professional opportunities, increase the career options, and improve earning potential, increase employee retention, all having a positive benefit on the organization. References

Schultz, S. (2007). Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved from http://www.bizjournal.com
Boehner, J.A. & McKeon, H.P. (2003). The college cost crisis: A congressional analysis of college costs and implications for America's higher education system. Washington, DC: U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Locker, K., & Kienzler, D. (2008). Business and administrative communication (8th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.