For this assignment, create an APA document using Times New Roman, $12$ font. Your document should include a cover page and a minimum of $3$ full pages of body topic information and a reference with a minimum of three references. A template for this assignment can be found in the learning resources.

You have been hired as the Hospital Administrator for Palmetto General Hospital, Miami, Florida. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make positive changes within the organization. Palmetto General Hospital has a rich history with the Miami Community that dates back to the $1920$s$.$ Over the years, the hospital has lost its popularity within the community, which has resulted in not meeting budgetary outcomes. A job freeze for all occupations was issued six months ago, and employees have not received a cost of living raise in three years. You also noticed that employees' salaries are the lowest in the healthcare industry. Additionally, after your second week on the job, you noticed that the turnover rate is about $22\%($above the $17\%$ national average$)$ among allied health staff.

You decide to come up with an idea to lower the out$-$of$-$pocket cost associated with employees' $**$fringe benefits. Moreover, you are suggesting that the hospital outsource the Benefits Administration Unit for added savings. Based on your calculations, the savings will pave the way for the hospital to make up the difference spent on employees' new fringe benefits proposal. Your objective is to make employees' fringe benefits attractive enough so that employees will not seek other employment elsewhere. Your idea does not cost the organization any additional revenue considering that Benefits Administration Unit will be outsourced.

$**$Note: Fringe benefit is a term used to describe extra benefits supplementing an employee's salary, for example, a company car, subsidized meals, health insurance, etc. Chapter $11$ outlines the mandatory and voluntary benefits that are traditionally offered, as well as a section on designing a benefits plan which might be helpful.

A couple of weeks later, you introduce the concept to the Board of Directors $($BOD$),$ and they feel that this is an excellent idea.

$$ Please answer the following questions.

$1.$ What is the expected outcome of the new benefits plan from the perspective of HR$?$ For the organization? For the employees?

$2.$ By including cost$-$savings on employees$$ fringe benefits, could the organization be less attractive to potential employees, affecting recruitment and retention? Why or why not? Explain your response.

$3.$ If the employer outsources its Benefits Administration Unit, could the employer lose its ability to customize its benefits package to meet employee preferences?

$4.$ What other cost savings, from an HR$/$benefits perspective, could be considered to add value to the hospital?