How are European Businesses Modernizing Employee Benefits?

Employee benefits are a hot topic across Europe and North America, with employees demanding more in return for their time and effort, and employers desperate not to lose talented staff in a very open job market.

It is workers and companies in Europe who are becoming trailblazers for better working conditions and improved employee benefits, and it would not be surprising to see many of these changes reflected across the map very soon.

This short feature will investigate why Europe has a flexible, innovative and modern employee culture, what benefits they are seeking and how companies are giving staff more control over their options.

Breaking Language Barriers

Firstly, European businesses have an in-built need to be adaptable and forward thinking. With so many small, densely populated countries each with its own language and culture operating in the same European Union market, language and culture barriers are no stranger to business leaders.

However, this is not seen as a hinderance, but a help. Being bilingual strengthens communication, critical thinking and business relations – leading to the European business world becoming a co-dependent and interconnected sphere. The benefits of this are clear to see when one looks at a country lacking in language skills – the United Kingdom is reportedly missing out on 3.5% of possible GDP as a result of a foreign language deficit.

Breaking down these barriers has led to European business being a place of varied ideas, innovative solutions and creative processes. It is no wonder that new employee benefits which include language learning are being pushed for.

Digital Healthcare

Digital healthcare is a relatively modern phenomenon, but it is one that is quickly making waves. For those who live a long way from a doctor or are too unwell to go into a practice, digital healthcare provides a suitable alternative.

However, it is not just doctor’s appointments that can be attended online. Mindfulness apps are on the rise, and with workers expressing a keen interest in having more mindful workplaces, it is a match made in heaven for employers to offer free or discounted subscriptions to such services for their employees.

Apps such as Headspace, Calm and Fika are useful tools for helping employees take a little time back at the beginning, end, or even in the middle of the day. What’s more, employees are more and more frequently being given the chance to add extra benefits or chop and change which benefits they use. This is done seamlessly through expert HR software that also allows them to manage their annual leave, update personal information and view salaries.

Commuter discounts

While the average commute time in the United States goes up and up, European businesses are busy finding ways to help staff reduce the strains of their travel to work, whether that be through financial aid or working from home.

Tying in smartly, one place employees often demonstrate mindfulness is during their commute. To match with meditation apps, employers are often offering reductions on the price of, or interest free loans to pay for, their commute. Helping provide stress-free travel is certainly one way to keep a staff body happy.

Looking towards countries which have a healthy and happy workforce will provide ideas and evidence for improved worker benefits. It might go against a previous work culture in your industry, but the current working climate is changing rapidly and it’s useful to get ahead by seeing which benefit ideas in Europe might work for you too.