Workers are feeling less positive about their workplace and the value of their benefits, according to a new study from Prudential Financial.

Many plan sponsors during the past year were "likely to be restructuring, downsizing, or merging, which all contributed to increased financial belt-tightening and, consequently, flat or even reduced benefits," according to Prudential's study, Show Them the Value. As more workers believe their employers are cutting back on benefits, confidence continues to slide.

However, the study found a linkage exists between the effectiveness of employee communications and the perceived value of benefits. The perceived value of benefits directly influences their importance to workers when selecting a job or deciding to stay with their current employer.