Benefits pros are reevaluating their policies around remote work

March 30, 2021 11:31 AM

Organizations have adapted to the challenges of COVID-19 and are coming up with new strategies and solutions to support their employees.

Read more: The 16 most popular employee perks

Financial wellness benefits, mental health support and new communication policies are top of mind for industry experts, who are continuously navigating pandemic curveballs. They shared their insights into leading through these uncertain times in Employee Benefit News’ Views section.

Our most-read commentary explores how employers should shift their mindset about remote work and the benefits that are needed to boost employee engagement, communicate effectively and provide health and wellness solutions.

4 ways to increase employee engagement in a WFH world

Employees are more disengaged than ever before. This leads to issues such as lower productivity, less collaboration and dissatisfied workers who may leave the company. Employees working remotely have a multitude of distractions from work. Constant communication is key and emails don’t work.

The shift to remote work may cause your employees to feel out of sync. Are they overwhelmed? Is there something you can provide to help with productivity and ease stress levels? Companies have a responsibility to help employees navigate this new virtual world. Here are four ways our employer clients improved employee engagement and well-being.

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4 ways to increase employee engagement in a WFH world

How employers are redefining workplace wellness during COVID

Companies are thinking more creatively and finding new ways to understand their resources — including their people. As we move from surviving a crisis to recovery, employees are engaging in lesser used benefits and employers are coming up with innovative ways to redefine workplace wellness that will define business success.

Employees lean on their employers for help with healthcare, financial wellness and retirement planning. But since the start of the pandemic, E*TRADE research reveals employees are looking for benefits like equity compensation to reach their goals and feel more invested in their work.

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How employers are redefining workplace wellness during COVID

What you’re overlooking in managing your company’s hybrid remote policy

Using data to inform long-term solutions and incorporating your company’s core values into your hybrid remote work policy can help align your organization and keep your employees engaged during these uncertain times.

The first few months of the pandemic brought temporary employee excitement: reduced commutes, more family time, and for many, greater productivity. However, research from Bain Consulting suggests these perks may not be enough to keep employees happy and productive.

Read more:

What you’re overlooking in managing your company’s hybrid remote policy

Employees want benefits, not meaningless rewards

HR departments across industries have worked hard in the past year to keep businesses moving, to connect remote workforces and to bolster productivity. Through it all, it became clear that these challenges offered a unique opportunity for growth, learning and creativity.

Employees need holistic and well-rounded well-being support now more than ever and HR teams must respond to these needs, whether in the form of physical and mental wellness resources, social justice initiatives or opportunities for human connection. As business leaders, we must meet these needs in the coming year to encourage the personal growth of all employees and to ensure they feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work.

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Employees want benefits, not meaningless rewards

How to evaluate digital mental health solutions for your employees

Mental disorders are now one of the costliest medical disorders in the United States; the annual spend is above $200 billion, according to a study by American Psychological Association. However, the cost of untreated mental health issues is a silent threat to employers. Depression and anxiety are estimated to cost global employers $1 trillion in lost productivity every single year.

Needless to say, mental health has rapidly become a priority in the workplace. More organizations are implementing treatment for mental disorders as part of their employee benefit options. However, employers should not turn to telemedicine or other digital solutions blindfolded. They should carefully assess what they aim to achieve and how these solutions will help them get there.

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How to evaluate digital mental health solutions for your employees