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Pandemic influences benefits sought by workers. Are you listening?

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Summary

As the pandemic recedes, employers are increasing the number of family support and leave benefits they are offering to their employees. According to a survey by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), the share of organizations offering paid maternity and paternity leave, parental leave, and adoption leave has increased significantly. Additionally, many employers are now offering onsite lactation facilities, paid vacation and sick leave, and leave to care for immediate and extended family members. These benefits are becoming increasingly important to recruitment and employee retention, and employers who are not offering them may be losing applicants and employees to competitors.

Q&As

What survey did the Society of Human Resources Management conduct to learn about benefits offered to employees?
The Society of Human Resources Management conducted the 2023 SHRM Employee Benefits Survey.

How have family support and leave benefits changed as a result of the pandemic?
The number of employers offering various family support and leave benefits has increased significantly.

What increased significantly in terms of offerings for parental leave?
The share of organizations offering paid maternity and paternity, parental leave, and adoption leave increased significantly.

What are the most important benefits for employers to offer?
Healthcare benefits top employers’ list of most important benefits to offer, with leave-related benefits and retirement-related benefits tying for second place.

What provisions have been mandated by the federal government to accommodate women who pump breast milk during the workday?
The federal government has mandated stronger federal protections and accommodations for women who pump breast milk during the workday.

AI Comments

👍 This article provides an informative and comprehensive overview of the changes in employee benefits due to the pandemic, and it is great to see employers listening to their employees' wants and needs.

👎 It is concerning that many employers are not keeping up with the changes in employee benefits, as they could be losing applicants and employees to competitors.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about the pandemic influencing the benefits employers are offering to their employees. According to the Society of Human Resources Management, the number of employers offering various family support and leave benefits has increased significantly. It seems like employers are listening to their employees' wants and needs and offering more family-friendly benefits to keep up with competitors.

Friend: That's really interesting. It seems like the pandemic has changed the way employers think about employee benefits and their importance. It's also good to see that employers are recognizing the importance of providing benefits that help employees care for their families.

Me: Absolutely. It's important for employers to understand that benefits are an important factor for both recruitment and retention. Studies have also shown that offering family-friendly benefits can increase job satisfaction, engagement and loyalty. So, it's important for employers to review their benefits program to make sure they are providing what employees are looking for.

Action items

Review your current benefits program to ensure it meets the needs of your employees.
Consider offering additional benefits such as paid maternity and paternity leave, parental leave, adoption leave, onsite lactation facilities, paid vacation, sick leave, mental health days, and paid and unpaid leave to care for immediate and extended family members.
Research the competitive benefits offered by other employers in your industry to ensure you are offering competitive benefits to attract and retain employees.

Technical terms

Pandemic: A pandemic is a global disease outbreak.
HR Professionals: Human Resources Professionals are responsible for managing the people and resources within an organization.
SHRM: The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is a professional organization for human resource management.
Employee Benefits Survey: An employee benefits survey is a survey conducted by an employer to assess the benefits offered to employees.
Maternity/Paternity Leave: Maternity and paternity leave are periods of time off from work for new parents.
Adoption Leave: Adoption leave is a period of time off from work for employees who are adopting a child.
Onsite Lactation Facilities: Onsite lactation facilities are designated areas in the workplace where employees can pump breast milk.
Paid Vacation: Paid vacation is a benefit offered by employers that allows employees to take paid time off from work.
Sick Leave: Sick leave is a benefit offered by employers that allows employees to take time off from work due to illness.
Mental Health Days: Mental health days are days off from work that are designated for employees to take care of their mental health.
Paid Foster Child Leave: Paid foster child leave is a benefit offered by employers that allows employees to take time off from work to care for a foster child.
Family and Medical Leave Act: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for certain family and medical reasons.