EY, KinderCare and others are breaking the mold to help their people advance

Doing things the way they've been done has never actually worked for businesses. But as today's employees reject the status quo, the best employers are working to stay one step ahead. 

Part of being innovative involves acknowledging the wide variety of life experiences employees are bringing into the workplace. Whether it's their specific attitudes and needs around well-being, or incorporating their families into their workplace values, it's critical employers do their best to provide benefits and policies for all. 

At EY, figuring out just what those programs should be is a huge undertaking, considering the firm has 65,000 employees to manage. The company's chief well-being officer, Frank Giampietro, says they rely on data to help them find the right solutions, and have discovered some interesting takeaways in the process. 

"One of the things we learned was that people who take two days a month during the course of the year have the best overall well-being experience, and we also know it increased the likelihood to stay by 1.6 times," he says. "So we can bring that insight to our leaders and say, 'Hey, we can give you the data, but it's really important for you to make sure you're having conversations and being planful about taking time off on a regular basis.'"  

Read more about EY's data-driven approach to well-being and how it keeps their benefits fresh: How EY leans into data to make well-being decisions for 65,000 employees

If you ask any working parent what would improve their work experience, child care would most likely be at the top of the list. Fortunately for employees at pharmaceutical firm Boehringer Ingelheim, an on-site child care center run by KinderCare helps parents get work done without worrying about their kids in the process. 

"I knew when I started that this site was available, and now as an employee actively taking advantage of it, it is an incredible difference-maker," says Melissa Giambalvo, a culture and scientific engagement manager. "It shows that Boehringer Ingelheim really cares for its employees and is walking the walk when it comes to maintaining work-life balance. They really encourage you to bring your whole self to work."  

Read more about the center and why on-site care should be standard: KinderCare's on-site child care center helps parents at this pharmaceutical firm thrive

If employers want to continue to grow and advance, they have to challenge their attitudes about hiring those with criminal backgrounds. A new partnership between the Center for Economic Opportunity and talent acquisition platform Jitjatjo is helping train and upskill formerly incarcerated job candidates to place them in the right roles. 

"Helping formerly incarcerated folks find solid work isn't just about checking a box — it's a game-changer for them and for society," says John Chacon, manager of talent acquisition at workforce management solution Jitjatjo. "Employment is more than just a paycheck; it's a ticket to a fresh start, and a way to rebuild lives and prove themselves."  

Here's how this demographic can help advance business initiatives, while improving their own circumstances in the process: How gig work is helping formerly incarcerated workers find fulfilling careers

Once employees feel supported, it's important to foster connectivity, too. But gone are the days of an office happy hour — Immersive Gamebox hosts interactive digital rooms employers can book for their employees, featuring video games from Tetris and Angry Birds to others inspired by Black Mirror and Squid Games in 29 locations worldwide. Equipped with motion-sensitive visors, employees break into teams and play.

"When you're trying to build up water cooler moments, you need to build trust between teams, and you need people to feel like they enjoy one another's company," says Lisa McDowell, chief marketing officer of Immersive Gamebox. "For that, you've got to have those out-of-office moments."

Read more about the program and why it's a fun way to build culture: How to create connections with colleagues — without dinner and drinks