BrightPlan Team
Last week, we released findings from the BrightPlan 2021 Wellness Barometer Survey, an in-depth look at how the pandemic affected knowledge workers in the US and the role employers play in their overall well-being. Not surprisingly, we found that employees are stressed financially by the pandemic, hurting their productivity and engagement. However, despite the negative impacts on their personal lives, knowledge workers overwhelmingly believed their employers and HR teams did a good job navigating through the pandemic.
HR leaders, however, must not rest on their laurels. Although they did a great job during the pandemic, HR leaders must continue to respond to the evolving needs of employees. Many employees experienced better work-life balance and control over their time with remote work and sought to retain some of that benefit post-pandemic. Others appreciated their company’s efforts related to well-being benefits and look to have these maintained.
This blog post explores the survey results relevant to HR leaders currently thinking about pivoting their company’s benefits to serve their employees better post-pandemic.
Companies pivoted their benefits well during the pandemic.
Employers nailed their pandemic responses. 91% of employees surveyed said that their company and HR handled pandemic-related issues well. More specifically, 84% agreed that their HR teams pivoted their company’s benefits offering well. The most improved benefits cited include work from home, mental health benefits, healthcare benefits, and sick leave―employees wanted more support on their overall well-being and their employers delivered.
Employees recognized their HR team’s efforts during the pandemic and appreciated them more. In fact, 71% of knowledge workers agree that HR’s job has been more challenging during the pandemic and 46% trust their HR teams more compared to pre-pandemic times.
Employers need to make significant benefits changes post-pandemic.
Although they did well during the pandemic, HR leaders need to be agile and keep a strong pulse on the changing needs of employees to keep them happy, healthy and engaged. 94% of HR leaders surveyed say that their company needs to make major benefits changes to keep employees productive, happy and engaged post-pandemic. It’s been an unprecedented year and a half, and employees’ needs will continue to evolve as the country reopens.
Employees want benefits that help improve their overall well-being.
When asked about which employer-provided benefits employees see as most crucial post-pandemic, employees point to benefits that increase their well-being, emphasizing flexibility and financial health.
Health concerns have understandably been top of mind recently and the long history of employer-provided healthcare in the country likely motivated employees to name it as the most important benefit post-pandemic. After healthcare, knowledge workers value remote work opportunities. Many enjoyed the freedom from long commutes throughout the pandemic and would like to continue this flexibility at least a few times a week.
The third most important benefit is financial wellness. The economic fallout from the pandemic impacted millions across the country, serving as a wake-up call for many employees to get in shape financially. In addition, many faced burnout with the blurring of lines between work and life and cited vacation time as the next most important benefit. Finally, employees’ fifth most important benefit post-pandemic is professional development.
HR leaders agree with employees on this list of priorities with one exception―mental health. The survey found that HR leaders place disproportionally high importance on this benefit compared to what employees actually want. 22% of HR leaders believe that mental health is the most important benefit post-pandemic versus only 12% of non-HR employees.
The 2021 Wellness Barometer Survey tells the story of how the pandemic affected US knowledge workers and their expectations of HR and their employers in a range of key areas. Although knowledge workers are broadly satisfied with their employers’ response during the pandemic, their needs will likely continue to evolve as the country and offices reopen. To support their employees, HR leaders must be nimble, stay close to their employees and pivot benefits to better address their needs. To read the in-depth survey results, get the full report.
