HR leaders share their total rewards resolutions for 2024

In recent years, the definition of “total rewards” has expanded to include more than just compensation and benefits. Employers surveyed by consulting firm Mercer in April 2023 indicated they planned to make investments not only in compensation, but also mental and emotional wellness, career paths, and training and skill development in the next six to 12 months.

Going into 2024, people leaders told HR Brew they’re planning to roll out a range of new benefits and perks, from enhanced preventative care coverage to sabbaticals.

Some interviews were conducted via email.

Citizens Financial Group will offer employees “community sabbaticals,” allowing them to take four to five weeks away from work to invest in their communities, CHRO Susan LaMonica told HR Brew.

Trust & Will, a digital estate-planning company, is expanding its anniversary milestone benefits by offering to “include a 3-month paid sabbatical after 5 years of service and up to $6,000 reimbursed towards a bucket list experience after 6 years,” Head of People Misty Mittelman told HR Brew.

Liberty Mutual Insurance is launching “a virtual physical therapy solution that provides dedicated one-on-one support—from convenient 15-minute exercise options to proper ergonomics setups—from the comfort of one’s home,” Monika Cox, EVP and manager, talent practices and employee rewards, told HR Brew via email.

Fountain, a frontline hiring platform, is partnering with Prenuvo, which uses whole-body MRI imaging to detect medical conditions early, said Global Head of People Hope Weatherford. They’ll cover one body scan per year for all global employees.

UKG, an HR tech platform, plans to offer “more time for baby bonding leave for birth and non-birth parents, expanding our surrogacy benefit globally, and providing support for transgender employees globally to offset the costs of receiving gender-affirming care,” said Chief People Officer Pat Wadors.

ezCater employees will have access to Carrot, a fertility care platform, as well as Modern Health, which provides mental health care for workers and their families, said Diane Swint, chief revenue officer at the corporate catering company.

Carrot will continue to offer doula support for employees on their pregnancy journeys, said co-founder and Chief Medical Officer Asima Ahmad. She noted one in five Carrot members use the benefit. “I anticipate this to continue as people start to realize the impact they can have on increasing access to ongoing care, and improved outcomes, especially for marginalized communities,” Ahmad wrote.

Wiley, a book and periodical publisher, will expand its partnership with Peppy to offer menopause care benefits to employees globally, Chief People and Business Operations Officer Danielle McMahan told HR Brew. “Benefit trends are showing a growing need for healthcare support for more underserved topics like these, and we’re excited for the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve,” she said.

Quizlet is adding “specific supports” for women going through menopause, according to Chief People Officer Stephanie Douglass.

Deloitte will cover annual skin cancer screenings, as well as digital physical therapy, at no cost to employees and eligible dependents enrolled in one of the firm’s national medical plans, said Melanie Langsett, a principal in the consulting firm’s human capital practice. They’re also expanding their pet insurance options to include options to purchase additional preventative care services for pets.

Khan Academy, a remote-first edtech company, is exploring benefits that will “enable people to get together and connect,” CPO Regina Ross told HR Brew in an interview. “We’ve looked at a platform that enables employees to schedule connections, where they can do meetups and find out who’s there…So, in this remote-first world, how do we allow employees to engage and connect in a meaningful way?”