Best of the week: Tech is taking over benefits

April 9, 2021 12:10 PM

Technology allows employees to work together, even when they’re apart.

More than 70% of the workforce is still working remotely due to the pandemic. Employers are relying on tech tools to boost productivity and provide benefits to support employees during this time.

Employers must tread lightly when providing their workforce with a variety of tech tools to avoid overwhelming their workforce with too many applications. More than a third of employers plan to simplify the tech tools they offer, according to a recent survey by Gartner.

However employees choose to engage, technology is here to stay. Our top stories of the week explore how tech is making remote work easier than ever:

8 tech tools to improve employee productivity

Employees may need some help getting organized and staying productive while working from home. But utilizing the right technology can help employees stay on track. Mobile app platform 42matters analyzed the top trending productivity apps available through the Apple store and Google Play. These programs help organizations tackle virtual management, meeting planning and productivity tracking.

Read more:

8 tech tools to improve employee productivity

Too much tech may be stunting productivity

As the labor force continues to work remotely, the tech meant to help workers maximize their productivity is doing quite the opposite. Balancing multiple tech tools and resources can be confusing as well as time consuming for employees, prompting employers to reconsider their current operating system. Thirty-five percent of marketing leaders are overhauling the technology tools they offer and 60% expect to make moderate to severe cuts to their budgets in 2021, according to a survey conducted by Gartner.

Read more:

Too much tech may be stunting productivity

The 16 most popular employee perks

Holistic employee benefits that take care of an individual’s diverse set of needs have become critical during COVID-19. Employees are turning to their employers for support with challenges involving mental health, financial strain and childcare issues. Eighty-three percent of employers offer mental health coverage and 79% of employers offer an EAP. These virtual offerings make benefits more accessible than ever.

Read more:

The 16 most popular employee perks

AI can identify age discrimination in recruiting

Artificial intelligence can help ensure the safety of older talent as employees return to workplaces without ageism creeping into the equation post-pandemic. It bases talent-sourcing decisions solely on skills, attributes and performance indicators, not physical characteristics. As a result, the playing field can be leveled for millions of older workers whose depth of experience and talent is often overlooked by recruiters.

Read more:

AI can identify age discrimination in recruiting

The top 10 states to work from home

Since the start of the COVID pandemic, 71% of the workforce has been working remotely, according to Pew research. Despite increased vaccination rates, 54% of employees would like to continue doing so post-pandemic. Wallethub ranked all 50 states on a 100-point scale to determine which locations are better for remote workers. The rankings are based on factors like internet speed and cost, square footage of homes and the population of employees who could work remotely post-pandemic.

Read more:

The top 10 states to work from home