Companies increasingly adopting environmental policies

-

According to a new report, organisations are now ramping up environmental policies as well as health benefits amid the Great Resignation, reflecting changing priorities post-pandemic . 

New research by Gallagher, a global insurance and risk management company, indicates that many companies are choosing to alter their benefits packages and company policies in order to better meet the needs of the workforce post-pandemic.

Notably, almost three in four firms (71 per cent) have enhanced their benefits package over the last year, owing to the impact of the crisis and the developing needs of their staff as well as wider global issues.

Two in five companies now have an Environmental, Social and Governance policy (ESG) in place which has been prompted by both employee and investor pressure to do more in this area.

Get our essential weekday HR news and updates.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Keep up with the latest in HR...
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Optin_date
This field is hidden when viewing the form

 

Company car usage has also declined by around half over the last two years (falling from 42 per cent in 2019 to just 24 per cent by 2021), suggesting growing demand for climate-friendly policies is having a tangible impact.

Vying to attract and retain talent during a time when many employees are looking to move organisations, benefits provisions have also changed to include more focus on health and wellbeing.

Over a third of companies (36 per cent) offered company-funded health screenings and one in 10 noted an increase in the uptake of Private Medical Insurance by employees.

Maternity and paternity pay has also improved – with four in five (88 per cent) increasing enhanced pay compared to under two-thirds (62 per cent) two years ago.

Agile and flexible working policies were adopted by the majority of companies during and following the pandemic, reflecting a wider shift in working practices.

Nick Burns, Gallagher Benefits’ UK CEO, reflected on these findings:

This will be an ongoing process as in 2022 we can see that benefit redesign is very much on the agenda.

Benefits are of course just a part of the jigsaw puzzle to the wider employee experience and how getting that right will help with talent retention and organisational culture.


*This research was obtained from the Gallagher 2021 Benefits Strategy and Benchmarking Survey report, published in October 2021.

Monica Sharma is an English Literature graduate from the University of Warwick. As Editor for HRreview, her particular interests in HR include issues concerning diversity, employment law and wellbeing in the workplace. Alongside this, she has written for student publications in both England and Canada. Monica has also presented her academic work concerning the relationship between legal systems, sexual harassment and racism at a university conference at the University of Western Ontario, Canada.

Latest news

Superdry co-founder’s victim warns workplace power can silence abuse victims

A survivor's account raises questions about speaking-up cultures and accountability in organisations.

UK’s always-on work culture ‘driving employee burnout’

Nearly half of UK workers say they end most working days mentally exhausted as rising workplace pressure leaves employees and managers struggling to switch off.

Andrew Murray on why no two days look alike

A people development leader shares how travel, training and a passion for helping others shape a working day with little room for routine.

Lucy Standing: Older workers are back in the centre of the hiring debate – ready to lead the response?

For HR leaders, the argument is simple: the people being filtered out of your hiring process are not past their best.
- Advertisement -

One in 10 women quit work after pregnancy loss, report finds

Research suggests inconsistent workplace support following pregnancy loss and maternity leave is contributing to resignations and poorer mental wellbeing.

Fear of becoming obsolete grips workers as AI reshapes careers

More than two in five workers worry their skills could become outdated as AI reshapes hiring demands and increases pressure to keep learning.

Must read

Jake Young: Strong workplace connections are the foundation of good leadership

Effective leaders are, understandably, viewed as key to organisational success. Good leaders are felt to improve employee engagement, productivity and retention.

Sarah Griffiths: HR has become cybercriminal’s favourite new hunting ground

Today, it’s not just the servers or firewalls under siege - it’s the people who manage them, specifically HR and payroll professionals.
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you