Workers' needs changed during the pandemic, so it's not surprising that what they want from employers as far as benefits also has shifted.
Employees began to put a premium on benefits like the flexibility to work from home, something which had previously not been an option for many. Workers started gravitating toward employers who offered the best packages for flexibility, work-life balance and support.
Two-fifths of workers leave jobs for positions with companies that offer better benefits, according to a survey this year by Forbes Advisor. One in 10 workers say that they would even take a pay cut if it meant having access to better benefits.
Yet while flexibility is at the top of the list, other perks and incentives will help draw job seekers, employers say. These range from better health benefits, especially when it comes to mental health, to pet insurance, retirement plan contributions and more days off. Professional growth and development also are a top priority, according to a Gallup poll last year.
Arvig, which ranked 21st among large companies on the Star Tribune's Top Workplaces list, started as a small telephone company in 1950. The Perham-based company is now the fourth largest provider of broadband service in the state of Minnesota. Arvig has 936 employees in 15 states, with 800 in Minnesota.
While the technicians who install services and the company's construction crew must work 100% on-site, other departments can be more flexible, said Lori Meader, director of human resources for Arvig.
Many accounting, marketing, human resources, IT, customer care and some sales jobs can be done remotely, she said. Its customer care department, for example, has some employees who choose to work fully in the office, while others are either hybrid or remote workers. Some employees have moved to other states but kept their jobs with Arvig.
"We let the employees decide as much as possible," Meader said.