Tap, tap. Is this thing on?
No, this isn’t a mic check. We’re here for a care check—to see if your employees are getting the support they need when they need it.
Why? Because the employee care perception gap (when employers aren’t delivering care) is wide. And that can lead to unhappy teams, lost productivity, and retention issues. But the right care, especially at the right time, can keep your employees happier and healthier than ever.
We linked up with MetLife to understand the kind of care employees need most—and the results might surprise you. Its 22nd Annual U.S. Employee Benefits Trends Study evaluated 55 moments along an employee journey—in many of these, employees say they aren’t receiving the care they need from their employers.
Ready to close the gap? Let’s jump right in.
Care everywhere
Think your responsibility toward your employees starts and ends at your office doors? Think again. The more you invest in employee well-being inside and outside the workplace, the more loyal, productive, and engaged they’ll be.
MetLife’s 22nd Annual U.S. Employee Benefits Trends Study found that employees who feel cared for are 2.1x more likely to feel holistically healthy—and are more likely to experience a more successful workplace.
Here’s another gap to consider: the perception of care. 88% of employers told MetLife they demonstrate care in the workplace. But the percentage of employees who say they actually feel cared for? Yeah, that’s only 66%.
Before you throw an emergency pizza party, consider this: One-time gestures and treats aren’t very effective at making employees feel heard, thanked, or appreciated.
Instead, start by making sure your employees receive fair compensation. Beyond that, acknowledge and celebrate their achievements and offer benefits that actually meet their needs.
But first, you’ll need to know what those needs are.
Start big
Not sure which benefits to start with? Take a look at the biggest care delivery gaps MetLife found in their study—moments where employees need more support. These could be:
- Burnout and heavy workload: Stressed-out, overwhelmed workers don’t deliver their best performance. Implement mental health days, create employee resource groups, offer childcare benefits, and sponsor fitness and mindfulness activities. Routine check-ins are also a great way to find out how your employees are doing and identify problem areas.
- Harassment or bullying: Workplace harassment is any form of unwelcome conduct. Whether it’s based on race, color, religion, gender, or disability, it’s always unacceptable. Listen to your employees and take action immediately to protect their physical, mental, and emotional health.
- Lack of appreciation: When we’re recognized for our work, we’re often willing to do more. Go figure! Call out excellent employee contributions, and offer incentives and tangible thank-yous whenever possible.
- Lack of advancement: Oof, this one hurts. Promotions are a great way to recognize growth and exemplary performance, but they’re not always possible. No matter what, listen to your employees’ perspectives and work together to create an actionable plan for their future development. And offer benefits that tie into professional development, either through financial support or mentorship programs.
You might not always know when your employees are struggling—but if you do, make sure to support them. They’ll thank ya for it.
Say it
Okay, so we’ve covered all the big care delivery gaps. Now’s the time to let your employees know you care.
Make sure your employees know you want to support them, and make it easy for them to reach out and ask for help. After all, MetLife found that when you deliver quality care *consistently*, employees are 2.2x more likely to personally feel it.
That’s what always-on care is all about—taking a genuine interest in the needs of your employees and identifying specific solutions.
MetLife also offers a portfolio of voluntary benefits and insurance solutions, so you can provide the most holistic care for your employees. This covers everything from dental and legal plans to pet insurance and identity and fraud protection, empowering your employees to protect what matters most to them—with your help.