8.10 Benefits and Alternative Work Arrangements
An important role for Human Resources is defining the benefits and business work arrangements.
Benefits
When we think of benefits, the first thing that often comes to mind is health benefits. It will contract with insurance providers to allow employees to get the coverage they need. Not all employees will need the same level of health benefits. An employee may not need any insurance if they are covered under a plan with their significant other. An employee with children will need different coverage than a person who is single. Plans that let employees pick the level and type of coverage is known as flex or cafeteria-style plans.
Yes, HR defines the medical plans for employees. But is does more. Here is a list of some benefits a business may provide:
- On-site day care
- Free coffee/sodas
- Free meals
- Gyms
- Tickets to events
- Corporate discounts
- Adoption aid
- and many more
Alternative Work Arrangements
HR may also define alternative work arrangements. When we think of a typical work week, we often think of five 8 hour days. But there are alternatives.
- Compressed work schedule
- E.g. 40 hours in 4 days
- Nine-eighty – 80 hours in 9 days
- Flexible work schedules
- Allow employees to come in early and leave early. Or come in late and leave late.
- Core hours may be required when all employees must be in the office.
- Job sharing
- Two people have the same job but neither is full-time.
- Telecommuting
- Became required during the Covid pandemic
- Now a subject of debate. What are the pro’s and con’s?
