2026. The year where everything changes!
We’ve all heard that statement before. Every year we make big promises. Be more organised, exercise more, and finally tackle that overflowing inbox. New Year’s resolutions sound great on paper, but then February rolls in with a big, “nice try.”
HR teams know the feeling. You can have a million and one things to juggle and prioritising the important stuff can be hard. But here’s the thing, one resolution deserves to stick – and it’s all about employee benefits that actually work for your people!
The workplace is changing faster than Lewis Hamilton driving around Silverstone (other Formula 1 drivers are available). Employees aren’t just wanting benefits or nice to haves anymore, they’re expecting them. And if you don’t deliver? Well, let’s just say your talent might start swiping right on other opportunities should a better offer come around.
Now more than ever, it’s imperative that you focus your attention on providing tailored and personalised solutions for the year ahead.
According to our research, 63% of employees would now leave their role if another company offered them a better benefits package, with the figure rising to 71% for Gen Z employees and 70% of millennials.
Ultimately, that translates as ‘ignore what they want, and you’re basically handing your competitors a gift-wrapped employee full of talent.’
Think about it. Your people want flexibility, wellbeing support and more. And when they don’t get it? Engagement drops, turnover spikes, and suddenly you’re spending more time recruiting than strategising. Whatever you believe to be the HR dream, it’s not exactly that, right?
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to wellbeing and employee benefits. You have to listen to the demands of colleagues. Assess their needs, then offer the right range of benefits to support their mental, physical and financial wellbeing.
Accessible, effective wellbeing benefits help remove barriers to activity and exercise, increasing engagement and improving the health of the UK workforce. A tailored benefits solution can also boost workplace motivation and productivity.
The secret to cracking the benefits code and staying on track with your HR resolution is simple: talk to your people.
Sounds easy, right? But you’d be surprised how many businesses skip this step and end up guessing what employees want. Spoiler alert: guessing rarely works.
In fact, our research has found that a lack of communication continues to be a major problem, with just 18% of employees saying that their employer regularly communicates with them regarding their benefits. That drops to just 15% when it comes to receiving regular, personalised notifications about the benefits they are entitled to.
When you open the lines of communication, magic happens:
Surveys reveal the true demand: It helps to breakdown the top benefits employees are asking for.
Feedback builds trust: Employees feel valued and appreciated, ultimately boosting engagement.
Data drives decisions: No more throwing benefits against the wall to see what sticks – this way you’ll know exactly what matters.
Listening should be a strategy, not a gesture. It can help you to nail that all-important HR resolution and make a difference.
When looking to future-proof your employee benefits strategy, start with a conversation. Employees hold the answer to success, and all you have to do is ask.
Although 80% of HR leaders currently think employees are fully satisfied with their benefits package, the reality is that 55% of workers deem it inadequate.
Critically, workers are hungry for more health and wellbeing benefits that boost the body and mind, as well as their motivation levels and productivity. Take note; getting this right and creating a healthier workforce will ultimately create a healthier business in more ways than one. Benefits can be a brilliant vehicle to make that happen, contributing to a more compelling employee value proposition.
‘A healthy employee is a happy employee’. And offering in-demand, trending benefits is the best place to start.
This January, why not pick a New Year’s resolution that’s guaranteed to stick (and make a real difference). Give your employees benefits that they ACTUALLY want (and that will last) for 2026!
Join us for ‘The future of employee benefits: What trends will we see in 2026?’ and get the inside scoop on the benefits employees are asking for in 2026. There are no crystal balls, no buzz words, no heard it through the grapevine (apologies to Marvin Gaye). We’ll be sharing trends and insights from our latest research to keep your HR game strong.
What should be on your list for the year ahead?
Don’t break the most important HR resolution for 2026. Sign up today and help your employees’ ‘benefit’.