How Employee Benefits Have Evolved During the Pandemic

The pandemic has shifted employees’ perspectives on work and benefits and it’s important for HR leaders to adapt to these changing needs of their workforce. 

What HR Teams Are Doing Right In 2021

In the BrightPlan 2021 Wellness Barometer Survey, we asked 1,500 knowledge workers at organizations with 1,000 or more employees their opinions of how their company handled the pandemic. Overwhelmingly, HR leaders were in tune with their employees’ needs. A majority indicated that their company pivoted their employee benefits offering well during the pandemic. Employees were most satisfied with these changes: 

Better Healthcare Benefits

While healthcare benefits have long been used to attract and retain talent, these benefits took a renewed focus during the pandemic. Providing healthcare benefits is a great first step, but competitive employers have started offering incentives to encourage employees to use their benefits and take proactive measures to stay healthy. The shift to promoting employee wellness has been supported by online resources and apps to help employees take control of their health. 

Flexible Work Arrangements

At the start of the pandemic, many knowledge workers began working from their homes and found that their productivity increased. Despite the stress brought about by the pandemic, more than half of the population we surveyed reported that their work-life balance improved. 

Organizational leaders have taken notice of these productivity gains as well as employees’ changing expectations on where and how they work. Many employers have committed to fully remote and/or hybrid work options along with increased flexibility to help with child care and other commitments. 

Mental Health Benefits

Considering the stress brought about by the pandemic, many HR leaders recognized the need for better mental health benefits. These benefits are meant to help employees cope with the stress and exhaustion brought on by the new normal. While there has historically been a stigma surrounding mental health, more employees are starting to take advantage of employee assistance programs and stress management resources. 

Paid Time Off 

While employers have recognized the increased productivity during the pandemic, they also recognized that employees are exhausted and stressed. Providing paid vacation, and developing a culture that encourages employees to use their time off, can help, particularly in these unprecedented times. Thus, more employers, especially among Fortune 500 companies, have started offering more paid time off or extended carryover options for employees who were unable to use their paid time off during the height of the pandemic. 

What HR Leaders Can Improve On

The pandemic brought about a recession that devastated many households, with countless still recovering. Over 80% of employees want support and guidance from their employers on personal finances. HR leaders can target this emerging need by supplementing their employee benefits portfolio with financial wellness benefits. Offering your employees a financial wellness program can help fast-track their financial recovery, guide them to financial stability, and demonstrate that you care about their overall well-being.