Long story short: These innovative employee benefits will help you lead with empathy this year

January 7, 2022 10:25 AM

Make 2022 the year you practice what you preach when it comes to creating an empathetic workplace.

In this week’s top stories, our team of editors explores what empathy looks like: be it providing English-language courses to help immigrants on their career track, to expanding PTO policies to support people grieving loved ones, to helping women with their health and well-being, it’s time to be mindful of the impact work can have on an employee’s life, both in and out of the workplace.

The pandemic has been a catalyst for many employers to make deeper investments in benefits that show they care. And done right, these offerings foster deeper loyalty from the employees you have, and the employees you wish to attract. What are you planning to do this year? Take a look below for some innovative ideas:

In the midst of a worker shortage, ESL support can expand the talent pool

One out of every 10 working-age adults in the U.S. has limited English-language proficiency, according to a 2019 report by the National Immigration Forum. That

enormous talent pool is often overlooked by businesses,

and could serve as one solution to the current labor shortage, which is hitting critical blue collar industries the hardest, according to a report by the Conference Board.

Companies like EnGen and Linguix are helping to break down these language barriers through ESL training. EnGen provides employees with hour-long English classes they can complete during work hours, and Linguix utilizes artificial intelligence to help workers with their written proficiency. Associate editor

Paola Peralta

dives into how these programs are making a difference for immigrant workers.

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In the midst of a worker shortage, ESL support can expand the talent pool

A personal investment: This small business owner spent $10k to freeze her eggs for her future

When Megan Christenson turned 32, she knew it was time to make a major investment in both her career and personal life. She dug into her savings and spent nearly $10,000 to freeze her eggs, a choice that would benefit her present and future self.

And while Christenson shouldered that financial burden on her own, many employers are boosting their fertility benefit offerings to cover some of the costs and provide more robust education. The investment could go a long way to attracting more female employees, a lesson more and more employers are taking seriously. Executive editor

Alyssa Place

shares Christenson’s story and why other business leaders should be supporting alternative fertility journeys.

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A personal investment: This small business owner spent $10k to freeze her eggs for her future

Why bereavement leave isn’t enough: What employees need after losing a loved one

With no set regulation on bereavement leave in the U.S., most employees will receive three days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member, and just one day for a relative. But that only scratches the surface of the time and resources employees need to get through a personal loss, says Ron Gura, co-founder and CEO of Empathy, a platform dedicated to guiding people through the logistical and emotional journey of death and bereavement.

Associate editor

Deanna Cuadra

explores what resources grieving employees really need, and how Empathy’s app is making it easier for both employers and employees to navigate challenging times with empathy.

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Why bereavement leave isn’t enough: What employees need after losing a loved one

Menstrual equity: What it is and why it can help with attraction and retention strategies

In most workplaces, discussion of women’s health might begin with fertility treatment and almost always ends with maternity leave.

Menstruation is often ignored and rarely treated

, but healthcare experts are now trying to make it a bigger part of the conversation. Menstrual equity refers to the equal treatment of every phase of the female reproductive cycle — including monthly periods.

Simple additions to the workplace culture — like having sanitary products stocked in the restrooms or communicative emojis on Slack that explain an individual is experiencing PMS — can make a big impact. Associate editor

Paola Peralta

discusses why this matters and how to implement it at your workplace.

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Menstrual equity: What it is and why it can help with attraction and retention strategies