3 big mistakes employees make with their benefits, from an HR professional with 20 years of experience

• Jamie Jackson says employees often miss out on benefits due to a lack of awareness and education.
• Many companies offer valuable perks like telehealth services and gym memberships that go unused.
• Contributing to a 401(k) and listing beneficiaries are crucial but also get overlooked.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jamie Jackson, a 42-year-old podcaster and consultant in Nashville. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I've worked in HR for 21 years. Throughout my career, I've done everything from recruiting to hiring to handling benefits. Now, I'm a human resources consultant and have a podcast called HR Besties.