According to research, employees have four core needs from any employer or job opportunity: Achievement, Security, Culture and Freedom. pdxMindShare conducted research of its own via its LinkedIn Group to see how these needs have changed post-COVID. This webinar explores the core needs of today’s employee, how they’ve evolved since the pandemic, and how both employees and employers can make the best of today’s job market to maximize recruiting efficacy and employee retention. pdxMindShare Founder and Anvil Media President, Kent Lewis, shares research, trends, and best practices. From this webinar, current and aspiring employees get clarity on what they should be looking for in an ideal employer while employers will gain insights into how to make a more attractive and sticky culture, recruiting, and HR environment.

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The Benefits Employees Really Want
from Employers
pdxMindShare Virtual Workshop (sponsored by Anvil Media)
October 15, 2020
Kent Lewis (@KentjLewis)
pdxMindShare Founder (@pdxMindShare)
Anvil Media President (@AnvilMedia)

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About Me
2
– Started building teams in 1997 at a full-service agency in PDX
– Co-founded first agency in 1999 and second in 2002
– Founded Anvil and pdxMindShare in 2000
– Speak, teach and write regularly
– I’ve interviewed and hired a few hundred employees

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Agenda
– Industry Research & Trends
– Four Key Employer Evaluation Criteria
– Pandemic Impact: Evolved Benefits
– Questions & Answers
– Appendix: Additional Resources
3

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Traditional HR: Industry Research
ꟷ 94% of planned vacations dramatically improve employee energy and outlook upon
return to work (Harvard Business Review)
ꟷ 79% of employees who quit their jobs cite a lack of appreciation as a key reason for
leaving (OC Tanner)
ꟷ 76% of millennials say they would leave their current position for a new opportunity
ꟷ 66% of employees are looking to achieve better work-life balance (Investors in People)
ꟷ 62.2% of employees want flexible work schedules (Patriot)
ꟷ 62% of employee holiday/PTO allowance goes unused (Glassdoor)
ꟷ 60% of employees report an increase in common mental health conditions (Health
and Wellbeing at Work Survey for 2020)
ꟷ 44% of employees cite work-related stress, depression or anxiety for ill health and
57% of working days lost (HSE)
ꟷ 29.7% of employees say a lack of professional development was the top reason for
disengagement and turnover, followed closely by 21.6% a lack of career trajectory
(Patriot)

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Evolved HR: Industry Research
ꟷ 88% of the millennials surveyed said their job is more fulfilling when they are provided
opportunities to make a positive impact on social and environmental issues (Cone
Communications)
ꟷ 87% of millennials agree that development opportunities are important to them in a
job (Gallup)
ꟷ 83% of employees believe an employer’s commitment to diversity is a factor deciding
whether to accept a job (Yello)
ꟷ 75% of Gen Z cite money matters as a leading source of stress (American Psychological
Association)
ꟷ 58% of millennials said they were planning to change jobs for learning and growth
opportunities (The Muse)
ꟷ 48% say benefits would make them stay at their job even if another company offered
them a raise, and 87% say they’d give up a 5% raise in exchange for more benefits
(Kelton Global)
ꟷ 36% of small businesses provide food and drinks to employees; 23% offer flexible work
hours and just 13% let employees work remotely. (Kelton Global)
ꟷ 6% of companies so far have reduced or eliminated employer contributions or
matches to their retirement plan, and 16% are considering doing so (Pearl Meyer)

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Employer Benefits: Myths vs. Reality

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Timeless Fundamentals: Table Stakes
1. Competitive salary
2. Healthcare benefits
3. Retirement savings plan
4. Ongoing training and development
5. Consistent feedback
6. Clear sense of company purpose
7. Strong company culture
8. Transparent, accessible and engaged leadership
9. Meaningful work
10. Rewards and recognition

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Post-COVID Benefits: Evolved Expectations
What’s Hot
– Flexible work schedule
– Food delivery service
– Virtual workouts or
streaming subscriptions
– Remote office support
– Expanded healthcare
– Zoom backgrounds
– Childcare
– Employment
What’s Not
– Friday @ 4 happy hour
– Free office meals & snacks
– Office yoga or gym
memberships
– Pool & ping pong tables
– Unlimited PTO
– Relaxed dress code
– Pet-friendly zones
– Unemployment
Needs are evolving from luxurious perks to actions and experiences

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Four Key Factors: Evaluation Criteria
– Achievement: career path and
advancement opportunities
– Security: a steady paycheck
– Culture: a connected and
collaborative team
– Freedom: flexibility and autonomy

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Flexibility: Breaking It Down
– Attract & retain talent (remote
work option)
– More control over schedule
(empowerment)
– Better work-life balance = Better
morale
– Greater productivity (more than
just the commute)
– Lower costs (operations expenses)
– Professional or educational
development opportunities
– Reduce COVID health risks

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The Pandemic: Changing Needs & Wants

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The Pandemic: Changing Needs & Wants
– Comprehensive healthcare plans
– Entertainment, delivery, and
other key services
– Reimbursement assistance for
student loans
*Only 4% of employers offered student loan assistance (International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans).
However, the onetime stimulus bill in response to COVID-19 includes tax benefits for employers that assist
workers with student loan debt

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The Post-Pandemic Needs & Wants
– Trustworthy leaders: transparent, connected & caring
– Management trust in employees: empowerment
– Human connection & community: we’re in this together;
judgement-free environment (kids, pets, home office space)
– Multi-faceted wellness: physical, mental AND financial health

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Maintaining Employee Engagement
– Bi-Weekly Check-ins
– Employee Kudos
– Office Perks & Surprises
– Spot Performance Bonuses
– Compensation

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Advanced Employer Recommendations
1. Schedule virtual “watercooler” breaks
2. Promote health incentives
3. Encourage (force) employees to use PTO/Holiday
4. Rewards with PTO vs. cash bonuses
5. Add food delivery or streaming service subscriptions to plan
6. Consider covering childcare or expanded mental health care
7. Look at long-term remote working options
8. Expand employee recruitment beyond local geography

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The Benefit Employees Really Want
pdxMindShare Blog
pdxMindShares Podcast
pdxMindShare LinkedIn Group
It’s Time to Rethink Job Perks for a Post Pandemic World
3 Benefits You’ll Need to Offer Post-Pandemic
Benefits and the pandemic: Are you stepping up?
What An Employee Wants: 6 Benefits You’ve Got To Be Offering
Work Perks: What Your Employees Want in 2020
What Do Today's Employees Really Want From Their Employer?
The Five Job Benefits Millennial Employees Really Want
What Employee Benefits Do Your Employees Really Want?
Salary, perks, and benefits: what employees really want in 2019
How to Understand What Benefits Your Employees Really Want
How the Pandemic Has Changed My Behavior
How to Connect with a Remote Team and Build Loyalty Through a Pandemic
Appendix: Additional Resources

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Questions & Next Steps
—Sign up for the monthly MindShare job & event email
—Join the MindShare LinkedIn Group
—Connect with me on LinkedIn (in/kentlewis/)
—Visit Anvil’s Insights & Events section for digital marketing tips
Kent Lewis
pdxMindShare Founder & Anvil Media President
kent@anvilmedia.com
www.anvilmediainc.com