Long story short: Who wants to work 9-to-5 anymore?

June 25, 2021 12:42 PM

As employers and employees reflect on the past months, it’s clear that the old ways of doing things will no longer fly.

The world of work has changed and employers are slowly seeking out new and innovative ways to cater to an employee population that wants more support, while working less. One strategy gaining ground is the adoption of the four-day work week, a policy implemented by just 15% of employers. But as employees push for more flexible work arrangements, employers are rethinking how to maximize productivity and translate their corporate culture for this fragmented workplace.

In our top stories this week, employers like PepsiCo are putting employees in the driver's seat to decide when and where they work. And new research from Arizent, parent company of Employee Benefit News, laid out the benefits and perks employees now expect post-COVID. Flex time topped the list, along with other benefits that support their overall well-being.

HR leaders have their hands full — and we’re looking to celebrate the best and brightest in the field. Our EBN Excellence in Benefit Awards are now open for nominations to highlight standout individuals in the benefits space. Read more about the awards and apply or nominate here.

Will the U.S. ever adopt the 4-day workweek?

When the switch to remote work first happened at the start of the pandemic, employers were worried about how a digital environment would impact productivity and engagement. As it turned out, employees felt more productive at home than in the office: 83% of employers and 71% of employees considered remote work to be a success, while 52% of bosses thought productivity improved during the pandemic, according to PwC research. Experts agree that employers can expect similar results from employees who work just four days a week.

While only 15% of employers currently offer a four-day schedule, according to the Society for Human Resource Management, the rise of flexible and remote working arrangements as well as advancements in technology are pushing this idea toward becoming reality for more workers.

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Will the U.S. ever adopt the 4-day workweek?

Pepsico embraces the future of work with hybrid schedule benefit

Flexibility in the workplace has been a necessity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic — and some employers are solidifying plans to embrace it long after the world returns to normal. Flexible work environments result in an increase of productivity by 15%, a reduction in absenteeism by 31%, and reduced turnover by 10%, according to Gallup research. PepsiCo is embracing the benefits of remote work through its new program, Work that Works.

Employees will be able to coordinate with their managers and teams to decide what work can be done remotely and what must be done in PepsiCo offices. The hybrid system will allow employees to choose when to gather and collaborate face-to-face, hopefully helping to combat the isolation so many experienced throughout the pandemic.

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Pepsico embraces the future of work with hybrid schedule benefit

These 4 must-have benefits will get your employees back to the office

While the majority of employers feel confident they will have their office up and running by the end of 2021, 62% of employees want to stay remote indefinitely, according to exclusive research by Arizent, parent company of Employee Benefit News.

Employees want the freedom to work whenever and wherever they want, and employers need to be flexible in accommodating this new normal. Sixty-nine percent of employers across industries believe remote work and telecommuting will be permanently altered, Arizent data found. The majority of employees say that 2-3 days in the office is ideal going forward.

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These 4 must-have benefits will get your employees back to the office

3 ways to translate company culture to a virtual world

Many companies faced a stark reality check when offices shut down and workforces went entirely remote. Beautiful office spaces closed and ping pong tables, game or nap rooms, farm-to-kitchen catered lunches and unlimited snacks all went away. Plenty of business leaders thought those flashy perks were what retained employees. But they were wrong.

It is crucial that companies look at the environment and culture they had in-office, pre-pandemic, and consider what has carried over virtually. Whether they will keep workforces entirely remote, bring employees fully back in-office, or commit to a hybrid model with both remote and in-office workers, it’s important to consider the current culture and what can be done to advance it and attract and retain top talent.

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3 ways to translate company culture to a virtual world