‘An employer who cares …’

By Antonis Dendis

What are the needs of workers after the pandemic according to the 2021 Group Insurance Trends Survey (EBTS) *

More than a year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are beginning to understand its long-term effects. Business models are changing or adapting to meet the emerging needs of the market, work from home is now the new norm and, where remote work is not possible, ensuring the physical protection of employees is paramount. With the pandemic toll counting millions of lives, the unemployment rate rising alarmingly and thousands of businesses being shut down or threatened with a padlock, almost all of us have been affected by the pandemic, directly or indirectly. All of these experiences have pushed employees to change their perceptions of what really matters in life. They now place greater value on protection, security, good preparation for the unexpected, making their individual and family well-being a priority. At this point we must emphasize an element that differentiates the categories of employees. While teleworkers welcomed the new form of flexible work, the EBTS survey found that this virtual form of work creates an equally new category of feelings for employees, those of disconnection, isolation and, in addition, an increased risk. exhaustion. In contrast, workers who have been on the front line for more than a year experience feelings of persistent and intense anxiety.

62% of employees pay much more attention to the benefits of a group program

Some of these EBTS findings are new, while others, presented in previous MetLife surveys, are more pronounced due to the pandemic. But everything has been the catalyst for the redefinition, by the employers, of their overall approach to the philosophy of work, the culture of the workplace, the well-being and quality of life of employees – inside and outside work – and of course the benefits they offer employers in the collective contracts of their employees. The main goal of this approach is to build a “wall” of resistance to workers, that is, to enable workers to withstand the great pressures created by a pandemic that seems to last and at the same time to be productive. It is indicative that, according to the research, 72% of employees say that safety and protection of themselves and their family is their most important concern, now more than ever, while 62% of employees attach much more importance to the benefits and benefits of their group contracts , now much more than before.

In order to effectively help employees become more resilient, employers must, first, recognize their responsibilities to their workforce and, second, create a holistic experience for their employees that takes into account changing their priorities in terms of safety, maintaining their mental health, stress about their future and more. They must, in short, prove in practice that they care about their employees.

But what does an employer who really cares about do?

Think like your employees. Listen to them!

The most important thing is to really “listen” to the needs of the employees and to design for his / her business – or to redesign if he already has – a flexible group program that can meet these needs. with life, health, savings / retirement coverage and help them reduce worries, stress and insecurity about their future and the future of their family.

A caring employer understands that access to health care at all times and at affordable prices is crucial for his / her employees. An advantage of the utmost importance they have MetLife’s group programs are that participating employees automatically gain access to unique benefits and free benefits through the Advanced Benefit Club (ABC) network, one of the largest and constantly developing networks of hospitals, private clinics, diagnostic centers and doctors throughout Greece, which is available to the insured 24/7.

An employer who cares knows that time is money for the company but also for the employee who in a difficult time will need to be served immediately and be compensated with simple procedures as soon as possible. Advanced digital tools, such as the e-Claims platform, upgrade the service of insured group contracts, saving time and resources for everyone and enabling the employee to do the his / her application electronically within 2 ‘and receive the amount of compensation for outpatient expenses in his / her bank account, within 48 hours.

The pandemic and its pressures are unquestionable for each and every one of us, stress, pressure, uncertainty. Through these shared experiences, employers and employees can certainly better understand each other, which leads to greater efficiency and, consequently, will bring these businesses on the road to recovery faster.

Employees who will withstand the pressure will be the ones who will bring about change, be more productive, more dedicated, trust their company more, and operate more efficiently in the new workplace regularity that will emerge after the pandemic. Certainly, other equally important factors will play a role in this effort, but if the well-being of your employees is at the heart of every decision you make, then you will have them by your side, allies in your endeavor. It will be the compass that will show you the right way.

* Source: The data and conclusions presented in this article are from the lo Employee Benefit Trends Study (EBTS) στις conducted in the USA in 2021 on behalf of MetLife. (Www.metlife.com/EBTS/ 2021)

* Mr. Antonis Dendis is MetLife Group Insurance Manager