What Employees Expect of their Employer in the post pandemic workplace.
The whole nature of how we work has changes so dramatically from where we were in early 2020. The lines of work – life balance are more blurred than ever, employees are looking for more flexibility around working from home or for a hybrid approach to work. But more than that employees are now demanding more support from their employer for both wellbeing and financially.
Some interesting facts:
91% of Generation Z believe that every company should implement a mental health policy for employees.
85% of millennials believe health care benefits are ‘absolutely essential’. In any role.
80% of employees would choose additional benefits over a pay rise.
69% of employees said they would work harder if they felt better appreciated.
60% of people report that benefits and perks are aa major factor in considering whether to accept a job offer.
49% of employees are likely to seek a new opportunity because of confusion or dissatisfaction about benefit schemes.
Sources: WTW, IOL, Zapier, Anthem, KFF, ArmadaCare, Deloitte, Hubspot.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and how this can apply in the workplace?
When Abraham Maslow created his Hierarchy of Needs, he found that humans are motivated by five essential needs: physiological, safety, social, self – esteem and self-actualisation (or self-fulfilment). If the basic needs at the bottom of the pyramid such as food, water, sleep and warmth are not met then it is impossible to move up the pyramid.
Safety needs in include comfort, security and stability, so from a work prospective this would include security in having a formal contract of employment and a range of basic benefits such as a pension scheme or sick pay and most definitely would include some emphasis on wellbeing at work.
Moving up the pyramid through social needs and managing team interactions we get to self-esteem. It is at this level of self-esteem that feedback, appraisal and rewards become an important part of celebrating an employee’s achievements which confers prestige and respect. Having a benefits program that can offer perks or discounts at the self-esteem level shows respect and offers praise.
Finally at the top of the pyramid, self-actualisation or self-fulfilment at this level it would be important to offer training support so that an employee can achieve their career goals and therefor fulfil their self – actualisation needs.
Maslow’s Hierarchy has been seen as highly useful in offering a motivation framework that will get workers performing enthusiastically and delivering their best efforts. With workers now focused on more than just a pay check, the adoption of a benefits / rewards menu or ‘cafeteria’ plan which includes a large series of benefits and perks that employees can choose from. Allowing employees to choose from alternative rewards and benefits packages addresses their different needs and thus their motivation can be highly improved.
A platform for a great employee experience.
Seismic changes in working patterns over the last two years with a more fragmented and fluid workforce along with huge shifts in employee needs many traditional employee benefits and recognition programmes have become irrelevant. With most employers still managing fragmented and disconnected systems, there is a strong need for a single digital platform for all employee benefits and rewards.
More and more employers are faced with the challenge to provide for employees individual needs and to meet the challenges of employees needs for recognition, reassurance and appreciation. Companies to have the right tools and technologies in place that not only motivates and supports a healthy workforce but also helps nurture loyalty by enriching employees working lives.
To learn more about our solutions and how we can develop a benefits package for your business, please contact our team today sales@hubex.ie
