5 Employee Benefits Trends for 2023

Over the last few years, almost every aspect of the workplace has changed, leading to many unforeseen challenges. Current labor challenges are forcing employers to find ways to balance rising costs and inflation while providing employees with benefits they value and need. Understanding this year’s key employee benefits trends can help you assess whether your offerings meet employee demands and needs so that they can attract and retain talent.

Here are 5 employee benefits trends outfitters and adventure sports owners should keep an eye on:

1. Addressing Health Care Costs

Finding ways to reign in rising health care costs while keeping benefits affordable is critical for adventure sports employers in 2023. This won’t be easy; budgets may be limited due to the economic downturn and ongoing labor market issues. Develop cost-saving strategies, such as the following, can help immensely:

• Modifying health plan designs
• Incorporating health care analytics
• Improving employee health care literacy
• Investing in telemedicine
• Incentivizing employees to seek cost-effective care options
• Revisiting cost-sharing arrangements

2. Prioritizing Employee Well-being

Employee well-being is a priority for many employers in 2023. Most employees are experiencing elevated stress, burnout and poor mental health due to inflation and the lingering effects of the pandemic.

Employers are planning to implement the following methods in 2023:

• Expanding employee assistance programs to address burnout and other well-being challenges
• Offering classes and articles to better support employees
• Providing managers with training to recognize employee behavioral issues
• Conducting anti-stigma behavioral campaigns
• Offering workplace flexibility, such as flexible start and stop times, four-day workweeks and unlimited paid time off

3. Focusing on Reproductive Health

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade impacts employee benefits considerations in 2023. Perhaps the most significant impact is bringing a renewed focus to reproductive health. This will create challenges for employers as they try to find ways to support their employees’ needs and provide competitive benefits. Many employers are increasingly providing employees with family-friendly benefits, such as paid parental leave, paid adoption leave and surrogacy benefits. Others are providing specialized benefits to support women’s reproductive health by offering the following benefits:

• Family planning assistance
• High-risk pregnancy care
• Pregnancy, lactation, postpartum and menopause support
• Travel benefits

4. Expanding Voluntary Benefits

It’s no secret that adventure sports workers are currently experiencing financial strain due to inflation and the economic slowdown, which means providing valued benefits is even more important this year. In 2023, expanding voluntary benefits may be an effective way to offer benefits that helps workers avoid financial setbacks and stretch their dollars without raising costs.

Voluntary benefits are unique in that they’re optional; employees can select the coverage that matters most to them. While dental and vision care continue to be standard voluntary benefits, nontraditional offerings are becoming increasingly popular.

5. Embracing Pay Transparency

Pay transparency is expected to become the norm in 2023. Not only are more states and localities implementing pay transparency laws, but pay transparency is also becoming more important to workers. Employees value transparency because it holds employers accountable for providing similar wages for similar roles. Organizations that provide pay transparency information tend to receive more applicants. By disclosing salary information and ranges to applicants, employers can save time and money in recruiting by ensuring candidates don’t reject job offers due to insufficient pay.

Protecting Your Greatest Asset — Your People

While the best strategies for your outfitter and guides business will vary, being aware of current benefits trends can guide you in creating a well-rounded plan. Reach out to  CBIZ Employee Benefits Services  for more information on today’s benefits trends.

Just as you invest in your employees and your business, it is equally as important to protect them with insurance.  Request a free CBIZ Adventure Sport Insurance quote  today.

This blog may contain scenarios that are provided as examples only. In an actual claim situation, coverage is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy issued. The information provided is general in nature and may be affected by changes in law or the interpretation of such laws. The reader is advised to contact a professional prior to taking any action based upon this information.

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