- Providing world class service and value for employee benefit group plans since 1987
How much does an employee value paid leave? Could a health and wellness program determine whether an employee stays or leaves? In 2023, we find ourselves in an era where popular employee benefits significantly influence job satisfaction, performance, and ultimately, retention. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 92% of employees asserted that benefits are important to their job satisfaction. Surely businesses missing on employee benefits trends are also missing out on the opportunities to establish a healthy relationship with their employees.
We, at Taylor Benefits Insurance Agency, know that being benefits leaders means more than just offering state benefits – it’s about creating a compelling benefits package tailored to the needs of your team. We have compiled a list of employee benefits trends that are booming employee retention at amazing rate.
Once upon a time in the business world, employee benefits were as monochrome as an old Hollywood movie. Just as the audience knew to expect a damsel in distress and a courageous hero in every plot, employees could anticipate a rigid set of benefits – health insurance, retirement plans, and maybe some paid vacation days. These one-size-fits-all benefits, while appreciated, often fell short in addressing the unique needs and circumstances of individual employees.
From providing simple health benefits to introducing retirement plans, traditional benefits have played their part in shaping the workforce. But just as black and white films have given way to technicolor masterpieces, the spectrum of benefits has expanded, giving rise to trends in employee benefits designed to cater to a more diverse and evolving workforce.
Mental health resources were rare, and mental health support was often relegated to the sidelines. Voluntary benefits were scarce, and mental health services were a far cry from being commonplace.
Enter 2023, the age of the ‘couture’ approach to benefits. The business world is catching on to the fact that to retain employees, they need to be treated as individuals, not clones. Today’s employers are realizing the importance of employees’ mental health and are taking decisive steps to offer a holistic suite of benefits.
Mental health benefits, previously overlooked, have become a staple in progressive workplaces. Employee assistance programs have been ramped up, with a focus on mental health support and resources. The idea is not only to help employees manage work-related stress but to provide a safe space for mental and emotional health discussions, making workplaces more supportive and inclusive.
The list of benefits extends beyond mental health services. Financial wellness programs have come into play, aimed at enhancing the financial literacy and stability of employees. As part of this evolution, voluntary benefits, such as gym memberships, childcare services, or tuition assistance, have surfaced, adding more color to the benefits palette.
This shift towards personalized benefits is not just an employee benefits trend; it is a movement towards a more empathetic, supportive, and productive workplace. As we tread into the rest of 2023, it becomes imperative for businesses to take this tailor-made approach to benefits, not just to attract, but to retain employees in this ever-competitive landscape.
As we stride into 2023, the world of employee benefits trends resembles a bustling fashion runway, displaying a dazzling variety of innovative and appealing trends. These trends are not just about attracting employees, but are geared towards holistic employee satisfaction, appealing to their physical health, emotional well-being, and financial stability.
Health is more than the absence of disease, and employers are recognising that. With healthcare costs skyrocketing, businesses are looking for cost savings and turning to comprehensive health and wellness programs. They are a popular employee benefit trend, including physical health programs like gym memberships, mental health coverage, and even wellness initiatives like yoga or meditation classes. A healthy employee is a productive one, after all.
While physical and mental health benefits are important, financial wellness cannot be neglected. Many workers are burdened with financial stress, affecting their productivity. To tackle this, companies are offering benefits like financial counseling, student loan repayment assistance, and retirement savings plan advice. Financial professionals provide guidance on managing debt, saving for the future, and even navigating real estate purchases.
COVID-19 has shifted the paradigm of traditional office work, and remote work is here to stay. Flexible work benefits, such as the option to work from home or choose flexible working hours, are among the top employee benefits trends of 2023. Companies are also tailoring benefits to meet the unique needs of remote workers, such as providing home office setup assistance or coworking space memberships.
Senior leadership’s awareness of the importance of mental health has grown, resulting in a surge of mental health benefits. A large majority of companies now offer resources for emotional well-being, treating mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Encouraging employees to take care of their mental health has become a priority, marking a significant shift in benefits strategy.
Paid time off for parents is not new, but 2023 is witnessing a revamp in parental leave policies as part of a holistic employee leave strategy. This includes longer maternity and paternity leaves, adoption assistance, surrogacy benefits, and even childcare assistance.
Together, these top employee benefit trends of 2023 reflect a changing landscape in human resource management, where benefits are no longer viewed as one-size-fits-all, but as a tailored, comprehensive benefits package aiming to attract and retain employees in a competitive market. With trends like pet insurance and paid parental leave, companies are going beyond the basic health insurance and retirement savings benefits to ensure their benefits offerings stay on the cutting edge.
Like an elegantly tailored suit can turn a passer-by into a loyal customer, the right benefits can convert a fleeting employee into a devoted team member. With the rise of these new trends, employee retention is no longer just about salary or promotions – it’s about the total rewards, a blend of compensation, benefits, work-life, performance and recognition, and development and career opportunities.
Comprehensive Health and Wellness Programs: These programs tell employees that their employer cares about their wellbeing beyond work. More than half of employees view these as a deciding factor for staying with their current employer.
Financial Wellness Assistance: Financial stress is a silent productivity killer. By offering financial wellness programs, employers not only help alleviate this stress but also show that they care about their employees’ personal lives, contributing to loyalty and retention.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Flexible work hours have been gaining traction, not just as a benefit, but as a necessity. Many employees now value work-life balance more than salary, making this an effective retention strategy.
Mental Health Support: By recognizing and supporting mental health, businesses send a strong message: it’s okay not to be okay, and we are here to help. This supportive environment fosters employee engagement and loyalty.
Enhanced Parental Leave Policies: Expanded leave benefits, including parental leave, family care, and other benefits for family planning, signal to employees that the company values their life outside work. Many employers have found that generous leave benefits can help retain valuable employees who might otherwise leave to start or care for their families.
Wellness Program in Multinational
A large tech company, after introducing comprehensive health and wellness programs, reported a decrease in absence management issues, and an uptick in employee retention and satisfaction. Similarly, a multinational corporation expanded its financial wellness assistance, resulting in improved employee productivity and lower turnover rates.
A recent study showed that companies offering flexible work hours had higher retention rates compared to their counterparts. Another research indicated that businesses prioritizing mental health support had more engaged and loyal employees.
Lastly, a case study involving a mid-sized company that introduced a generous parental leave policy found a significant increase in the retention of employees who had become parents. It underlined the fact that family-friendly benefits are essential for retaining employees at different life stages. When you tailor employee benefits plans according to the needs of your workforce, they generally tend to boost employee retention to a great extent.
These trends highlight that tailored benefits are not just perks but necessary investments for a business’s success. They play a vital role in not just attracting talent but also in retaining it. After all, a happy and satisfied employee is the cornerstone of a successful company.
At Taylor Benefits Insurance Agency, we understand that managing benefits, especially ones like leave management that involve family members and family care, can be challenging. Most employers find it tricky to balance the cost and the value, and that’s where we step in. As the leading provider of group health insurance and employee benefit plans, we’re experts in crafting customized, comprehensive benefits packages. Our goal? To ensure you’re not just another paid company in the market, but an employer of choice.
If you’re looking for a benefits package that reflects your company’s values, supports your employees, and drives retention, we are here to help. After all, in the world of employee benefits, one size does not fit all. The key to success in 2023 and beyond? Tailored benefits that consider the individual and collective needs of your team. Contact us today to find out how we can partner with you in this journey. Let’s work together to turn the tide in your favor.
Todd Taylor oversees most of the marketing and client administration for the agency with help of an incredible team. Todd is a seasoned benefits insurance broker with over 35 years of industry experience. As the Founder and CEO of Taylor Benefits Insurance Agency, Inc., he provides strategic consultations and high-quality support to ensure his clients’ competitive position in the market.
Todd Taylor with Taylor Benefits gives our small business the kind of personal service we need. Insurance benefits are important to our employees and Todd helps us find a balance between benefits and value. Todd responds immediately to my phone calls & e-mails. He has even gotten in touch with me on a Sunday when we were in need of coverage answers immediately. We are very pleased with the hands-on service Todd and his staff provide.”
-Ken and Linda Orvick, Orvick Management Group, Inc.
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