What Employees Want: How Wellness Is Influencing the Workplace

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Sequoia Consulting Group, which provides services to people-centric employers with 20 to 20,000 people, has released findings from its 2021 Employee Experience Benchmarking Report. The reposrt revealed a trend toward increased value in family-planning options, mental health solutions, additional paid holidays and better retirement benefits for employees. This year's installment also includes an expanded section on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), as well, due to the pandemic and racial injustice awareness. 

Significant findings that demonstrate a changing workplace culture include:

  • 96% of companies plan to expand their talent outreach to build a more equitable workplace
  • 70% of companies have rolled out new DEI programming over the last year to create a more inclusive culture
  • The number of companies strategically focused on employee emotional health has grown by 50% in the past year
  • 45% of companies offer 401(k) matching to employees, with 13% of companies planning to add or increase their match in the next 12 months
  • 40% have Employee Resource Groups, which is a 9% increase from last year
  • 37% have 401(k) plans that include ESG (environmental, social and governance) funds, of which 31% added the funds in the past year
  • 33% have "forced vacations," and 20% have annual company shutdowns
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