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Writer's pictureBrenn Scott

Wednesday Watercooler Talk

Do you ever look back on past employment and think "Wow, I had really great benefits! I could take two weeks of PTO, fill up my coffee for free in the office, and get to sit in my lightly decorated cubical next to Karen for the next 8 hours!" Well, at that time, those benefits didn't sound half bad, but boy have times changed.

 

In November of 2021, a record-breaking 4.5 million people left their jobs. Because of this, recruitment moving into 2022 became a much more high-stakes game. Stronger benefits are one of the many ways companies can attract and retain talented team members.

There was a day when complimentary coffee & snacks, denim Fridays, and in-office scooters were some of the best perks around; however, now that over 74% of U.S. companies offer remote or hybrid work, these benefits are no longer attractive.


So, what kind of benefits can provide added value to remote & hybrid employment? If you have children, you already know that parenting and working from home are challenging to balance. Offering benefits that focus on childcare and flexible schedules will be able to attract a much wider range of candidates.

Additionally, the emphasis on employee physical and emotional wellbeing will continue to be strong, so, it’s in companies’ best interests to add mental health support programs and fitness stipends to their existing offerings.


We do not want to discount how important human interaction and team collaboration are, which is why it is important to remember that while better benefits will create and foster a positive culture, an annual or semi-annual team gathering can additionally provide the comradery that is no longer created in a daily, typical office setting.

 

Other great ideas: Vacation bonuses, tuition reimbursement, substantial maternity & paternity leave, home-office budget, and, if you're into snacks - they have subscriptions for that!


On average, U.S. companies provide only 8 weeks of paid maternity leave, with a minimal 23% of civilian workers who even have access to paid maternity leave. Globally, the average paid maternity leave is 29 weeks, with an average of 16 weeks paternity leave.



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