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Fortunately, such drastic changes are not necessary. The benefits market quickly recognized this need and proposed a solution that is both effective and convenient for both parties.
In this article, you will learn:
- What benefits do modern employees need?
- What role do experts play in maintaining team well-being?
- Where and how can you find experts?
- How does the involvement of experts increase the effectiveness of other benefits?
A solution for new times
The pandemic has fundamentally changed the office work model. Data from Colliers shows that recently, as many as 89% of organizations have implemented a hybrid work model. Of course, some employers were already using it before. However, the scale of this shift is clear when looking at pre-pandemic data, when 76% of organizations operated exclusively on-site. We are effectively looking at a complete reversal of proportions. [1]
As it turns out, this work model is highly preferred by Polish employees. According to a Deloitte study, nearly half of respondents would look for a new job if the number of days spent in the office were increased. Furthermore, one in three employees would accept a lower salary if it guaranteed them a sufficient number of remote work days [2]. This is also reflected in the approach to benefits.
Remember – nearly 90% of companies now work in a hybrid model. Almost half of the employees forced to work entirely on-site would look for another employer.
Online benefits – the trend of tomorrow?
A report by Benefit Systems shows that 56% of employees expect their employers to introduce or increase the availability of online benefits [3]. In the context of hybrid work, this is a fairly obvious proposition. When working from different locations, we expect solutions that are easily accessible and universal, regardless of where we spend our day.
Keep in mind that for some companies, hybrid work means a rotating schedule or almost complete permission to work remotely (aside from occasional days for office meetings). Some companies allow specific departments to work 100% remotely.
In such cases, online benefits are the perfect solution because they:
- do not differentiate between employees,
- are available to everyone, regardless of the type of work they do.
Remember: a hybrid work system requires an increase in online benefits. This way, you don't exclude employees based on their location or the nature of their work.
Support needed immediately
However, more online solutions are not the only new need our teams have developed in the post-pandemic era. The approach of both employees and entire organizations toward wellbeing has also changed. A Benefit Systems report shows that nearly half of all employees now expect greater support from their employers for physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, as well as access to mental health support.
Remember: every 1 euro invested in workplace health promotion yields a return of 2.5 to 4.8 euros in reduced absenteeism costs. [4]
Furthermore, these cannot be "empty benefits." Employees want real, comprehensive solutions tailored not only to the company's specific needs but, above all, to their personal preferences.
Remember: 73% of employees expect benefits to be tailored to their needs and capabilities. [3]
How can you meet these needs using online solutions?
Experts as a bonus – a Benefit Systems case study
A good example is the solution we implemented at Benefit Systems. Our portfolio includes, among other things, the MultiSport Program. Naturally, we are constantly developing this offer in response to market trends, but we don't stop there. Our second flagship product is MultiLife. Through it, we provide our clients with a wide range of online wellbeing solutions.
On the MultiLife platform, you can find e-courses, e-tools (such as Diet Planner) or apps for those who want to live healthier, train smarter, or better manage stress (e.g., Focusly). But that’s not all.
With MultiLife, you can also access online expert advice from:
These options are complemented by Telemedi – a service that gives employees unlimited and quick access to a general practitioner or an obesity specialist, also online. Additionally, they can consult other specialists at a discounted rate.
Soon, our group of online experts will also include:
- a language tutor,
- a financial coach.
What is extremely important about all these wellbeing solutions? The aforementioned alignment with the real needs of every User. That is why, in collaboration with experts, nutritionists, personal trainers, and psychologists, we have created proprietary programs on the MultiLife platform to support employees' individual goals. Examples include "Aspiring Athlete," "Mindfulness and Slow Life," and "Health and Quality of Life." The employee sets the goal and then uses the services, webinars, or specialist consultations tailored to them.
This solution has many advantages, beyond (of course) addressing the team's real needs. It is worth implementing, if only to increase the effectiveness of other benefits. Let's remember that a gym membership or access to medical services are now practically market standards. Both will work much better when supported by reliable expert knowledge, who can advise, for example, on how to exercise and how to take care of a proper diet and psychophysical well-being (which complements health prevention).
We also mentioned that online services available as part of non-wage benefits, which are based on expert support, are a remedy for various types of exclusion among employees. Importantly, this is not just about access to training at a given place and time, but also the ability to level the playing field regarding knowledge on a given topic within the team and ensure everyone has the same opportunities for development.
This is precisely why MultiLife users gain, among other things, access to language courses. In addition to options such as English, German, Spanish, or French, Polish for Ukrainians has also recently been added, which is an obvious nod to changes in the labor market.
Another service in this category is access to the Youniversityplatform, from which you can also draw useful knowledge from experienced experts and business practitioners.
Changes in progress
Well-functioning, modern organizations today recognize – more than ever – the need to keep their finger on the pulse regarding employee wellbeing. They also focus on their development using tools that provide everyone with equal chances and opportunities. It turns out that the market supports this mission and provides effective solutions. You just need to reach for them. Implementing these types of activities in an online format has virtually only advantages – low costs, easy accessibility, and integration with other benefits in the offer.
It is also a simple and effective way to utilize expert knowledge and consultations on a scale that was never achievable before. Thanks to this, modern benefits are more attractive than ever, both for employees and employers. After all, everyone can use them to achieve their individual goals faster.
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Bibliography:
- https://www.colliers.com/pl-pl/research/hybrid-and-beyond.
- https://www2.deloitte.com/pl/pl/pages/human-capital/articles/Raport-Stan-pracy-hybrydowej-w-Polsce.html.
- Benefit Systems report "Tired, indifferent, disengaged. Post-pandemic employee needs" 2022.
- Report "Economic and social costs of insufficient physical activity among Poles" (2021) - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349916140_Ekonomiczne_i_spoleczne_koszty_niedostatecznej_aktywnosci_fizycznej_Polakow.
