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From Obstacle to Opportunity: The 2025 Employer Playbook for Thriving in Complex Markets

If you're feeling like your organization is juggling more challenges than ever before, you're not alone. A recent State of the Market Survey of over 1,000 employers confirms what many leaders are experiencing: 2025 is a year of significant complexity.


The good news? While these challenges are real, they're also predictable and manageable with the right strategies. Here are the critical issues shaping the employer landscape this year - and how forward-thinking organizations are turning obstacles into advantages.


Economic Uncertainty: Inflation & Rising Healthcare Costs

Nearly 60% of employers cite economic uncertainty as their primary challenge, driven by policy shifts from the new administration, ongoing inflation concerns, tariffs affecting supply chains, and sector-specific layoffs.


With 64% of employers struggling with inflation and 42% facing rising healthcare costs, organizations are grappling with anticipated 7-8% healthcare cost increases in 2025.


Resources and Tools:

  • 5 Proven Strategies Every Employer Needs to Know - How to cut Healthcare costs by up 30%.  We've compiled five of the most impactful considerations your company can make to save on health coverage costs while providing exceptional benefits plans for your employees.

  • Case Study: Cost Containment Through Alignment and Transparency - As a certified Great Place to Work®, J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. is committed to providing high-quality, affordable healthcare for their 1,800 associates and their families by employing smart healthcare consumerism strategies that create win-win solutions and reduce the increasing healthcare burden on employees while ensuring they receive the medical care they need.

  • 10 Ways to Reduce Healthcare Costs - In this session, we share 10 proven strategies that can help you reduce healthcare expenses without driving away your top talent.


Compliance Challenges Are Growing

Over 26% of employers struggle with evolving federal and state regulations, including employment law changes, increased agency enforcement, and shifting DEI policies.


Resources and Tools:

Attraction and Retention Challenges Persist

Nearly 60% of employers continue to face talent attraction and retention issues, implementing strategies focused on engagement, compensation, development, and skills-based hiring.


Resources and Tools:

 

Strategic Workforce Planning Is Essential

With 76% of employers actively hiring and most maintaining optimistic hiring plans, organizations are aligning workforce strategies with long-term business goals.


Resources and Tools:

  • Employee Benefit Benchmark Reports - Use our industry specific benchmark reports to give you detailed insights into what other companies in your industry are offering, helping you design a benefits program that attracts top talent without overspending.

  • Empowering Employers in attracting talent - Maximize employee value and satisfaction with a strategic Total Rewards approach.

  • Benefits & Strategic Communication - We recognize the pivotal role that communication plays in shaping the employee experience. Our approach is centered around designing and implementing effective benefit communication strategies and materials that not only inform but also empower employees to make educated decisions about their benefits.


Moving Forward Together

The 2025 market presents complex challenges, but organizations that stay informed, focus on strategic planning, and remain agile will thrive. Cottingham & Butler's comprehensive approach addresses each of these critical areas, providing you with the expertise, resources, and innovative solutions needed to navigate uncertainty and position your organization for long-term success.


Ready to tackle these challenges head-on? Contact your Cottingham & Butler team today to discuss how we can help you turn market challenges into competitive advantages.


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