What Moves the Needle for Employees During Recruitment?

Sixty percent of Gen Z and 65% of millennials admittedly eschew jobs that showcase quirks and perks in lieu of up-to-date, personalized and meaningful benefits. So, what can employers offer to entice candidates to see, sign and stay? Spoiler alert: it's more complicated than cash.

Employees want well-being benefits to be front and center during recruitment

This means the post-pandemic job seeker cares less about the gym membership than they do about financial literacy coaching and telehealth coverage as permanent options even as the pandemic recedes into 'the new normal.'

Experiential diversity is important to new-normal job seekers

Job seekers are watching your diversity and inclusion efforts and noting whether you - as their potential new employer of choice - are focused on welcoming the new demographics entering the 2022 workforce. They want to know if you are thinking about groups that exhibit experiential diversity, such as:

• Twenty-somethings who are left to care for younger siblings after losing their parents and grandparents to Covid
• Teachers who are braving a career change
• Parents who have switched roles and responsibilities
• Women who finally had time to complete degrees and certifications that were backburnered before the pandemic came along and gave everyone a little quiet time
• Grandparents who were aged into retirement and seek to maintain purpose in society and community through a part-time job

More Lunch & Learns about pandemic PTSD; fewer remote happy hours

Potential employees will also quickly sniff out if your company's 'new normal' feels the same as the stale or unhealthy pre-pandemic office habits that focused on popularity tactics.

Sensitive, savvy and wellness-focused employers are replacing online and in-person happy hours with fitness challenges and group activities that focus on and celebrate awareness, health, and togetherness. Think meditation apps, calming challenges and walk-off Wednesdays where people head out early - not because they've 'had it," but because it's a nice day to take a little break.

Performance delivered weighs more than promises postured

Well-being is very much about feeling seen, feeling valued and feeling safe. It was never the workplace's responsibility to meet these needs, and maybe that's why we all accepted low engagement with well-being benefits offerings until now.

But the times are changed, indeed. Employees want to be whole and to stay well, and they are requiring high engagement from their employers to make sure their own wellness is achieved and maintained in the workplace.