HRE’s number of the day: coronavirus benefits support


41: Percentage of employees who feel their employer is not currently offering benefits or programs that help support them during the pandemic

Nearly half of workers say their employer is not offering programs or benefits that improve their wellbeing during this challenging time, according to MetLife research. The insurer surveyed more than 2,300 U.S. employees for results. Meanwhile, the vast majority (77%) say there are benefits or programs that, if offered by their employer, would ease their stress and improve their wellbeing.

What it means to HR leaders

With employees dealing with unprecedented amounts of stress, concerns and health issues due to the coronavirus pandemic, employer support–notably through programs and benefits–is paramount, experts say. And the fact that nearly half of employees say support is not available shows that vast improvement is needed.

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“Across industries, employers have an opportunity to be a source of support for employees facing unprecedented challenges by offering tools and resources to address their immediate concerns,” says Todd Katz, MetLife’s executive vice president of group benefits.

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Kathryn Mayer
Kathryn Mayer is HRE’s former benefits editor and chair of the Health & Benefits Leadership Conference. She has covered benefits for the better part of a decade, and her stories have won multiple awards, including a Jesse H. Neal Award and honors from the American Society of Business Publication Editors and the National Federation of Press Women. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Denver.