So the economy's bouncing back — if ever so glacially. At this rate, we might even dip below 7 percent by the end of next year.
Jokes aside, finding skilled workers is harder than it sounds – even in this economy. (Hell, we've been trying to fill a couple of positions here for what seems like years now.)
And when the tide turns, as it will, employers will need every strategic advantage in landing the best talent. The kicker, though, is that in this case, it might not be anything brokers can help with. Because what workers want more than anything right now is just flexibility. (And, no, we're not talking yoga.)
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Staffing firm Mom Corps – which admittedly has a stake in the results – reports that three-quarters of workers surveyed insisted flexibility is their biggest priority when job hunting. Keep in mind that's a 10 percent jump over last year's study. And nearly 40 percent said a lack of flexibility was a big enough deal for them to look at leaving a job they already had. (Yeah, in this economy.)
And while most are afraid to even broach the subject with their employer right now, they're actually willing to even take a pay cut in return for a little more flexibility at the office.
It's also worth mentioning at this point that, under the unintended consequences category, next year's exchange rollout could very well lead to a mass exodus of disgruntled employees. Yeah, I know, all we seem to talk about are all those big, bad employers who will be laying off their workers – or maybe just cutting their hours – so they don't have to offer them health care.
But what if the inverse happens to be true, as well? What if, come that Thursday morning of Jan. 2, hordes of employees walk out on their miserable, dead-end jobs because they don't have to hang onto them anymore so they can get health insurance?
I'm not necessarily saying it will happen, but it does present a compelling question: After the New Year, who will need whom more?
So does this mean – coupled with the rolling thunder of health care reform – that employee benefits are dead? Hardly. Far from it.
In fact, I'd argue creative benefits packages are more critical than ever before – for both the broker and the client. In an age of still-dwindling health commissions, brokers need to shore up their portfolios. And, for employers, the balance of power might finally be titling back. Sure, flexibility's a good start (yet so many remain so resistant to it), but competitive employers will offer more options than that. Because both employees and prospects will be expecting it.
Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful friendship…
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