By Kirstie McDermott
Post-pandemic, many companies have reevaluated their perks and benefits packages. Many have rowed back considerably on their programs, famously at Meta, where Mark Zuckerberg announced a "year of efficiency" for 2023, which included layoffs as well as a reduction or removal of free services like laundry and dry cleaning.
For many people who were now working from home for some or all of the week, the perks they had previously clung hard to, like free coffees, snacks and meals, began to be irrelevant anyway. If they weren't there, they couldn't take advantage of them.
That, combined with sharp rises in inflation and the cost of living, has made employees across industries consider what it is that they really want from a total compensation package.
According to a recent survey, workers want benefits that actively help them out financially, with fully-covered health-care premiums being the one that comes out on top for more than half of workers. Reimbursement for health facilities or gyms (27%), and a 401(k) match (37%) are also top of mind.
Employee gifts pay off
Money matters, perhaps now more than ever. So when it comes to employee gifting, a good employee gift is found to pay off. "The right gift leads to a spike in job satisfaction that lasts for a year or more for 46% of people," says a recent report on the topic.
While 83% of workers have gotten a gift, 31% say that it wasn't what they wanted. Company swag, food items, and low-value gift cards all land badly.
For a majority (65%) of employees, what they actually want is money. Cold hard cash converts into employee loyalty, with 92% of respondents experiencing a positive attitude shift for a month or more after receiving a good holiday gift.
It is clear that the tactic pays off. And as the holiday season is still fresh in our minds, you may be ruminating on what you did––or didn't––receive. If it was less than $1,000––which 15% of top earners expect––then you may be thinking about a move elsewhere.
If that's the case, the Employee Benefit News Job Board is a great place to start your search. It contains thousands of open roles, such as the three below.
Employee Relations Director, ubs, New York
If you are an expert in workplace issues, the Employee Relations Director at ubs will allow you to provide HR advice and solutions to colleagues as you investigate complex HR matters ranging from employee concern, complaints, and disputes to facilitating resolutions. You will also advise HR colleagues on HR matters relating to performance management, family and medical leave, health-related issues and claims of unfair treatment, and support workplace issues and disciplinary actions including terminations, warnings and grievances. In addition you will advise on workforce strategy (reductions, acquisitions or divestitures), coordinate development and delivery of training on professional conduct and dignity at work practices and partner with employment legal, supporting the development and governance of policies and procedures. You'll need to have held a similar role as an Employee Relations Specialist, ideally for five to seven years within financial services, and possess a law degree, or equivalent focusing on U.S. employment law. Get your application in here.
Human Resources Coordinator, IPEX, Pineville
IPEX is one of North America's leading providers of advanced plastic piping systems, and it currently has an exciting opportunity as a Human Resources Coordinator, based in Pineville, North Carolina. Here, you will implement HR principles in a wide range of activities such as recruitment and orientation, payroll coordination, compensation and benefits, provision of corporate training, support and application of HR programs, as well as being the main point of contact for payroll and benefits inquiries for the hourly plant employees. Plus, you'll be involved with continuous improvement initiatives which will promote optimal team engagement. See all the details now.
Human Resource Manager, Fall River Health Services, Rapid City
Fall River Health Services is looking for a Human Resource Manager who will be directly responsible for the overall administration, coordination, and evaluation of the human resource function including payroll administration. You'lll enforce all FRHS policies and state and federal regulations in all areas of HR, and will have responsibility for hiring, training, and evaluating performance, disciplinary actions, and discharging for employees within the department. Plus, you will implement COBRA plans for vision and life insurance, as well as report, maintain and monitor workers' compensation case files, oversee the management of FMLA leave requests, and monitor employee performance evaluations and ensure they are done in a timely manner. If this sounds of interest, see more information now.
Find your next role today via the Employee Benefit News Job Board
