Flexible Scheduling Flexible scheduling is another benefit that seems universally prized. In some cases, employees want it for the same reason they want caregiving benefits: to better care for a loved one. In other cases, employees like having a looser schedule and more autonomy. Regardless of their motivations, flexible scheduling is something most employees want. By offering flexible scheduling options, employers can demonstrate how much they respect their employees’ other obligations and support a healthy work-life balance. This can help attract new workers and retain current employees. And, given that employees still work the same number of hours in a week, flexible scheduling offers employers a lot of potential reward for little risk. Offering flextime could be the affordable differentiator employers are looking for. Remote Work Opportunities Employees want more flexibility, but not always in terms of scheduling. Many workers also want the ability to work remotely. The COVID-19 pandemic propelled remote work into the spotlight and created new working norms. Now, many employees want to continue working remotely or explore remote roles. Many employees would change jobs for one that offered off-site working opportunities. Remote work is now a top reason employees stay at a job. Offering such arrangements can help accommodate employees who might otherwise need to take paid time off. Moreover, these benefits could help employers’ attraction and retention efforts. Ongoing Learning and Development Many workers leave their jobs when they run out of room to grow. Others might stick around but end up with few transferable skills. This reality is spurring workers to vocalize how much they care about professional development. In fact, most employees said they’d leave their workplace for another that’s investing in employee learning and development, according to a recent study from Lorman. Employees value learning and development opportunities. Employers should always look for ways to help employees grow professionally and learn new skills. Beyond the recruitment and retention aspect, investing in employees yields higher-quality work and higher job satisfaction. Traditional Core Benefits When it comes to benefits every generation wants, traditional benefits will almost always take the cake. These core benefits typically include health, dental and vision plans. Employees, regardless of age, have come to expect and appreciate these benefits from employers. In fact, by not offering these benefits, employers risk pushing away workers from every generation. According to a 2022 survey from advisory firm Willis Towers Watson, 3 out of 5 workers say a good benefits package is a key reason to stick with an employer. That figure is a significant gain of 12 percentage points over a three- year period (from 2019 data). This illustrates the impact employee benefits can have on the workplace. When looking for attraction and retention strategies, don’t overlook benefits. 9