How to ensure your benefits approach fits the new ways to working and motivates staff

There have been many changes in the world of work in the past year; a rise in homeworkers, video calls rather than face-to-face meetings, and instant messaging instead of catch ups in the office kitchen. Some of these changes won’t be going away anytime soon.

With a move away from offices for many employers, your benefits strategy will need to adapt so it continues to motivate and engage staff. Here’s how…

Ask your employees what they would most value

When you’re planning a revamp of your employee benefits strategy, the best place to start is talking to your employees. They’ll be able to let you know what benefits they would find the most valuable; whether it’s support for their mental health, discounts and cashback to help with their finances, or salary sacrifice schemes like cycle to work.

Make sure your benefits are accessible and relevant, wherever employees are located

For many, the new ways of working involve moving away from the office, and so benefits need to as well. This could include offering your employees a discount to a gym that’s convenient for them –when they reopen – rather than the one next to the office.

As well as making sure that all your benefits are relevant for your staff who are working from home, they also need to be easy for your employees to access. It’s ideal to house them all on one platform, so your staff don’t have trouble finding them and can make the most of what is available.

Address mental, physical, and financial wellbeing

A well-rounded employee benefits package should address all pillars of wellbeing to be truly engaging and motivating to staff. An employee assistance programme can help with mental health concerns, diet and lifestyle advice and support for working from home.

There are many ways to address financial wellbeing that aren’t just pay rises and bonuses. Offering your employees access to discounts and cashback can help them make their salaries go further, and financial education can help them with the best ways to manage their money.

Support them with their work from home set up

A recent survey from Furniture at Work found that 54% of people were still not sitting at a properly designed desk or in a proper work environment. A benefit that is sure to engage employees is offering them support in kitting out their home office, whether they only have a small space in a bedroom or a full room they can dedicate. Plus, it’s important for our physical health to be sat at a desk that has been set up correctly.

Don’t forget about flexible working

There are many benefits of flexible working. From working parents being able to balance their work with childcare, to being able to work around doctors or dentist appointments, or even just being able to work when we’re at our most productive.

The author is Jamie Mackenzie, director at Sodexo Engage.

This article is provided by Sodexo Engage.