Here’s a buzzword that’s been floating around the HR & benefits world lately: flexibility.
Even Forbes’ Return to Workplace Report highlighted that employees believe the flexibility to work “how and when they want” is the most empowering benefit available.
Flexibility now not only includes flexible workdays, but also flexible work times within the day, flexible workplace options, and even flexible benefits themselves.
Organizations not offering flexibility risk falling behind when it comes to employee retention, talent acquisition, and overall employee satisfaction. Providing flexibility to your employees shows you trust them. For jobs that are salaried, allowing employees to set their own schedules (while still attending required internal and external meetings) can be a great way to empower employees to work in a way that allows them to get their best work done.
When it comes to employee benefits, some employers are even offering employees a stipend to apply to benefit options of their choice. That way, employees can prioritize their own needs and how best to leverage your company’s benefit offerings.
It’s important to note that clearly and frequently communicating about guidelines and expectations surrounding flexibility is critical across your organization.
Offering flexibility can even improve workplace equity!
As a human resources leader, you’re always working to ensure your organization’s policies and benefits packages are equitable. As part of working towards equity and flexibility in your benefits and culture, we highly suggest considering the unique needs of family caregivers. 20% of full-time workers are caregivers, providing care on a regular basis for a loved one who is aging or has a serious illness or special needs. This figure jumps to 73% of all employees when you include child care responsibilities.
Unfortunately, many employees must go to part-time status or quit altogether due to caregiving responsibilities.
Forward-thinking, progressive organizations across the country are offering a full spectrum of benefits to support the employees who are struggling to balance career, family, and caregiving.
Providing a caregiving benefit is one effective way to do so – it helps your employees balance the demands of work and caregiving and ultimately, creates a more supportive workplace for all. To learn more about providing (much needed) family caregiving support to your employees, check out more resources on our website. To receive insights delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our weekly newsletter!