However, simply offering the standard mix of health, dental, and retirement plans is no longer enough. Today’s employees – about 76% of them - now view diversity as a critical factor when choosing where to work. And your benefits package is a key component of that diversity. If your benefits are not inclusive to meet the needs of a dynamic workplace, chances are good they’re not attracting the workforce you desire.

What Are Inclusive Employee Benefits?

Inclusive workplace benefits are those that fit the needs of everyone within the company or corporation, no matter their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or other factors. For companies with diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies, the benefits package is a great importance in meeting the needs and desires of their diverse workforce.

The Most Important Employee Benefits for an Inclusive Workforce

Inclusive workforce benefits are designed to meet the needs of wide range of people. Consider the following as a good place to start:

1. Diverse healthcare providers

Let’s start with one of the most important benefits of inclusive care, and that is ensuring that the healthcare providers can meet the unique needs of your employees. The doctors and professionals within their health networks should represent diverse cultural backgrounds so that employees feel comfortable and confident in their chosen healthcare professionals. They also need to know there’s no risk of bias in their care team.

2. Family-building & fertility benefits

One survey found that 88% of employees would consider leaving one job for another if the second offered better fertility policies. Access to fertility treatments, time off for care, surrogacy, and adoption allows employees to have better access to the avenues of care they need to create the family they desire. 

3. Pet insurance

Pet ownership in the U.S. is the highest it’s ever been. With pet care costs rising more every day, employer pet benefits have become standard in larger companies. As an entirely employee-paid, no-cost-to-offer benefit, it’s an option that even smaller companies can offer to meet growing demands. Several types of pet benefits exist, including insurance for accidents and illnesses, wellness plans, and discount plans, and it’s smart to offer all three to encourage maximum engagement. Inclusive plans from companies like Pet Benefit Solutions offer employees cost-effective plans and freedom of choice they can’t find anywhere else. 

4. Remote work options

Remote work is still accessible and acceptable in many environments. Even if you want your employees in the office most of the time, providing flexibility to take one or more remote days a week is still attractive. It can drastically improve productivity by freeing up your employees’ travel time and allowing more flexibility in their workday. Studies consistently show that remote work improves job satisfaction, increases employee retention rates, and even saves companies money.

5. Floating and flexible holidays

Chances are you don’t celebrate all the same holidays and special events throughout the year that your co-workers do. By providing floating holidays or flexible schedules, you allow employees to choose the dates that are most important to them to take off. That means, instead of choosing what appeals to most people, you give everyone the option to choose time off based on their needs and preferences.

6. Paid parental leave

Perhaps one of the most “expensive” options from the employer’s perspective is the investment in paid parental leave. When a child is sick or you’re welcoming them into the family, paid parental leave can provide exceptional support. Note that this isn’t just maternity leave as required by law. It extends to leave for both parents to prepare for the child, be present for labor and delivery, and bond as a family. Companies who offer these benefits demonstrate a tangible commitment to the needs of the whole family.

7. Mental health services

All-inclusive employee benefits absolutely need to include mental health services. The American Psychological Association says that 24% of all adults in the US have a stress level of 8 out of 10, but 37% of them do not seek mental health services due to a lack of access to insurance coverage. If you’re not doing what it takes to alleviate the stress of your employees, you’re creating gaps in your wellness policies. There may be no greater direct impact on employee satisfaction, productivity, and reduced absenteeism than providing access to mental health support.

The Pet Effect: How Pet Benefit Solutions Makes It Work

Inclusive work benefits seem like a great thing on paper, and even a must-have for many employers. Yet, there’s always the concern about cost, both in time and money. Pet insurance, as an employee-paid voluntary benefit, can be instituting easily and simply at no cost to the employer. 

At Pet Benefit Solutions, we offer inclusive pet benefits that include options built for every pet and every need. With over 30 years of experience working in the voluntary benefits space, we deliver a guided implementation experience that makes adding our plans quick and seamless. 

To learn more about implementing pet benefits in your organization, visit us at https://www.petbenefits.com/.