During our most recent webinar with TalentWise Collective, we briefly highlighted how COVID-19 has changed the benefits landscape. Now, thinking deeper, it has been six years since the pandemic, and there is no doubt that the world of work has changed, along with the way employees think about benefits. Whether it is remote or flexible work, healthcare and wellness initiatives, financial guidance, or family support, the benefits that people value most have shifted significantly in recent years.
Before the pandemic, most organizations built their benefits strategies around stability and protection: pensions, private healthcare, and insurance. These offerings were long considered the cornerstones of security and retention. But as the workforce evolved, so did people’s priorities. Economic uncertainty, rising living costs, and a stronger focus on mental health have created a demand for benefits that meet real, everyday needs.
Today, employees are looking for options that feel personal, flexible, and meaningful. They want benefits that protect, support, and empower them to live healthier, more balanced, and more fulfilling lives. For organizations, this shift marks a move from transactional relationships to people-centred strategies that view wellbeing and choice as the new measures of value.
A New Era of Employee Expectations
The pandemic sparked a major rethink of what “value” means in the workplace. For many, it wasn’t just about financial stability anymore; it became about well-being, purpose, and balance.
The result? A generation of workers, particularly Gen Z and younger millennials, who want benefits that align with their lifestyles and values, not just their job titles.
They’re asking:
- How does my employer support my mental health?
- Does this company care about my financial well-being and financial future?
- Can I choose benefits that actually fit my life?
This evolution signals a new era of work, one where value is measured not just in paychecks, but in how deeply an employer invests in the holistic well-being, purpose, and autonomy of its people.
So, what do employees really want from their benefits today?
- Mental health and wellbeing support – Accessible, stigma-free resources like therapy sessions, wellness apps, or mindfulness programmes.
- Financial wellness tools – Education and coaching that empower employees to manage money confidently in a cost-of-living crisis.
- Sustainable, purpose-driven perks – Benefits that align with ethical values, from green travel incentives to volunteering days.
- Flexibility and choice – The freedom to pick what matters most, whether that’s childcare support, gym memberships, or extra time off.
How Eppione’s Marketplace Helps Employers Keep Up With Trends
At Eppione, we help organisations move beyond traditional, one-size-fits-all benefits. Today’s workforce expects access to a wide range of support options, from wellness and fitness programs to financial education, lifestyle perks, and learning opportunities that help them grow both personally and professionally.
With Eppoine’s Benefit Marketplace, employers can search and compare a huge range of options for any country around the globe. This unique marketplace, combined with the management platform, brings benefits together in one simple, seamless experience. It empowers employees to see, understand, and personalize their total rewards, giving them visibility into every aspect of the value their employer provides. Whether that means choosing mental health and wellbeing services, finding ways to invest in personal development, or managing everyday financial goals, Eppione makes benefits flexible, transparent, and meaningful.
When employees feel their benefits reflect who they are and what they value, they do more than stay with their employer. They engage, contribute, and thrive.
If you’re interested in offering new benefits to your employees, schedule a demo of our platform and marketplace:
