Employee Benefits Trends 2024 for the Non-Traditional Workforce

Keeping part-time, seasonal, freelance and 1099 employees engaged and retained can be challenging. Recently, we spoke to Jackie Nixon, a New York City hospitality HR executive, with several decades of experience of managing a non-traditional workforce.

Her insights provide a glimpse into the world of employee perks for small business and the future of employee benefits. If you’re exploring benefits plans for small business, the key is to understand what employees want and tailor your offerings accordingly.

“The key is to remain flexible and open to feedback. What works today might not work tomorrow”

Get Creative With Your Benefits Package

Most companies that employ full-time workers offer medical benefits for employees, such as health, dental, vision, 401K and life insurance. Nixon said it might be challenging to figure out how to offer benefits as a small business, but employees still deserve to be cared for. She encourages business leaders to think creatively about how to structure benefit options.

“The benefits could be offered on a sliding scale,” Nixon says. “This approach would consider the changing needs of employees as they progress through their careers, acknowledging that what might not seem as important in their twenties might be more important in their forties.”

One area where Nixon saw room for improvement was for insurance brokers to expand what they can offer to clients. For example, most insurance brokers are familiar with dental insurance, but not dental savings plans.

With Altogether Dental, members enjoy discounts of 15-50% on all dental procedures (cleanings, X-rays, orthodontia, fillings, crowns, root canals, bridges and more). Unlike traditional insurance, members don’t have to worry about waiting periods, deductibles or claims. Plus, there are no annual limits on benefits for them or their dependents. This kind of flexibility can be a powerful tool, particularly for those looking to enhance their small business employee benefits.

Unique Employee Benefits that Set Companies Apart

Beyond the standard benefits package, Nixon shared innovative employee perks that help create a positive work environment and boost employee satisfaction:

• Be generous with holidays, vacation time and sick days.
• Offer free meals or gift cards for restaurants or grocery stores.
• Recognize the diverse needs of your workforce and accommodate various cultural or religious needs, by offering a meditation or lactation room.
• Offering a secure spot for people to park their bikes or scooters shows you support various commuting methods.
• Are there any free perks your company could offer? For example, one of the most attractive perks in the hotel industry is free or discounted hotel rooms for employees and their families.
• Corporate wellness programs are becoming increasingly popular as part of employee health and benefits offerings. These programs can include everything from on-site fitness classes to mental health resources and can be a key factor in how to attract employees with benefits.

These creative employee benefits demonstrate how companies can go beyond traditional offerings to create unique employee benefits that resonate with their workforce.

Adapting for The Future of Employee Benefits

The popularity of remote work, the gig economy and changing employee expectations all play a role in shaping employer health benefits. Companies that can adapt their offerings to meet these changing needs will be better positioned to attract and retain top talent.

“The key is to remain flexible and open to feedback,” Nixon says. “What works today might not work tomorrow, so it’s important to reassess your benefits package and make adjustments based on what employees want.”

Remember, the goal is not just to offer top employee benefits, but to provide value that resonates with your employees.

“When employees feel genuinely cared for, it shows in their work and their loyalty to the company,” Nixon says.