Employers are changing their employee benefit offerings to include flexible schedules, PTO enhancements, additional paid leave for family care, and mental health support benefits. Some examples of these enhanced benefits are:
- Flexible Schedules: Employees can choose a schedule that best integrates with their needs — working early or late to manage appointments, school activities, etc.
- Paid Time Off: Employers are changing rules and options around paid time off including:
- Allowing more carryover
- Creating donation programs for fellow employees who are sick
- Implementing company-wide shutdowns during certain times (e.g., summer and holidays) to allow employees to recharge
- Offering more sick time for quarantines and vaccine side effect recovery
- Paid Leave for Family Care: Employers are offering paid leave programs to bond with a new child or care for family members with a serious health condition.
- Mental Health Support Benefits: Programs are expanding to include:
- Mental health days
- Mental health apps for employees
- Additional EAP services such as extra free counseling sessions
- Additional mental health insurance benefits