Building an inclusive benefits culture: why accessibility matters more than ever

Inclusive and accessible benefits help protect your people from burnout and strengthen loyalty.

Attracting and retaining talent has never been more competitive. HR leaders are under mounting pressure to provide benefits that resonate across an increasingly diverse workforce - cutting through generational, cultural and socioeconomic differences while aligning with tight budgets.

The benefits gap is real

BHN research found that only 32% of employees have access to paid parental leave, and just 12% receive money-off vouchers, despite rising living costs. For colleagues on or near the National Minimum and Living Wage, these gaps are especially stark - rising costs leave little room for “optional” extras.

Disparities appear across gender, ethnicity and role, fuelling disengagement and widening trust gaps between employers and employees.

Building accessible, everyday value

BHN Extras’ Stretch It 2025 research makes clear that the workforce is craving tangible, relevant support - benefits that meet essential needs and reflect diverse life stages.

This is where BHN Extras offers a pragmatic step forward:

Universal access: Digital savings on groceries, utilities, fashion, travel and more, with no role-based gatekeeping.
Inclusive design: Flexible, self-service options that resonate with every demographic, whether Gen Z balancing rent and student loans or Gen X planning for pensions.
Ease of engagement: A mobile-friendly platform that strips away red tape, ensuring benefits are used, not just advertised.

A strategic imperative for HR leaders

Burnout is no longer a fringe issue - it is an organisational risk factor. Embedding accessible, everyday value into your EVP isn’t just an act of goodwill; it directly influences engagement, retention and productivity.

As the research recommends, “organisations must revamp benefits strategies, going beyond pensions to provide lifestyle, mental health and financial support for all”.

By aligning benefits with the lived reality of employees, HR leaders signal that wellbeing is a core business priority - not an afterthought. When asked which benefits matter most, employees prioritise financial and lifestyle support over status-driven rewards.

Moving beyond the burnout era

Future-ready reward strategies demand equity, flexibility and impact. For HR professionals, the mandate is clear: close the gap between intent and experience, ensuring benefits reach everyone, not just the privileged few.

The message is simple: when benefits are inclusive, accessible and aligned with real financial pressures, you protect your people from burnout and strengthen loyalty across the board.

Learn more at BHN Extras.