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<\/div>\n?Sudden shifts in employees’ benefits needs and preferences since the onset of the pandemic have pushed many employers to reconsider their offerings to ensure they are providing options that will appeal to all kinds of employees.<\/p>\n
One big reason for the changing preferences? More employees are working remotely. Employers now have to accommodate onsite and offsite workers alike with various offerings.<\/p>\n
Offsite employees, for instance, can’t avail themselves of benefits accessible solely through the physical work environment. Conversely, onsite employees may not have the flexibility that offsite employees are able to enjoy.<\/p>\n
Considering the needs of both sets of workers and offering options that are varied, flexible and accessible can help employers attract and retain talent. From specific types of perks to broader strategies, here’s a look at how employers are modifying benefits for both onsite and offsite workers.<\/p>\n
High-Quality Tech Matters<\/p>\n
When employers sent many staff members home to work three years ago this month, they quickly found that employees had differing technology needs. Rather than trusting in employees’ personal devices, employers have stepped up to invest in better technology and equipment to support remote workers, said Walter Sabrin, senior vice president of recruiting services at Vensure, a Chandler, Ariz.-based professional employer organization. This investment can be especially economical when employers are also saving on office rent and supplies, he said. <\/p>\n
Employers’ hardware investments include computers, smartphones, and cameras and lighting for video calls, while software and app investments include Slack, Zoom and SharePoint.<\/p>\n
Virtual Learning and Career Development Grows<\/p>\n
A 2022 LinkedIn<\/a> report indicates learning and career development opportunities are the top factors that employees identify as characterizing an exceptional work environment.<\/p>\n These offerings have been adjusted to accommodate remote workers, Sabrin said. Offering better virtual learning and career development programs in addition to in-person training ensures that all employees have equal access to these opportunities.<\/p>\n Many Workers Want Flexibility<\/p>\n One benefit that appeals to many employees\u2014whether working remotely, in a hybrid model or entirely onsite\u2014is flexibility, according to research from Gusto<\/a>, a San Francisco-based payroll and benefits platform for small and medium-sized businesses. Flexibility is a main factor both in deciding whether to stay with an employer and in considering whether to accept a job offer. According to Gusto’s research:<\/p>\n Research by New York City-based consulting firm Buck supports these findings, said Tom Kelly, a principal in Buck’s health practice. However, he noted a significant difference between generations: 41 percent of Millennials said they want more job flexibility, compared to only 26 percent of Baby Boomers, according to Buck’s 2022 Well-being and Voluntary Benefits Survey<\/a>.<\/p>\n Retirement Benefits May Improve Retention<\/p>\n Some traditional benefits remain important to both remote and onsite employees\u2014health and retirement benefits in particular. Gusto’s data<\/a> indicates that 401(k) plans have a major positive impact on retention: On average, workers are 40 percent less likely to leave a job during their first year when they are offered retirement benefits. The number is even higher for industries that don’t traditionally offer retirement benefits, such as retail and food and beverage. <\/p>\n Employers Have a Range of Creative Options<\/p>\n Employers are looking beyond the typical offerings to ensure that both onsite and offsite employees are receiving benefits that meet their needs. <\/p>\n\n