Aligning benefits inclusivity in a dynamic world

A focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is a business necessity for sustainable talent, wellbeing, meeting ESG commitments and better business outcomes. DEI matters to talent and their experience, consumers, stakeholders, investors, and communities.

Action-oriented commitment to DEI is a competitive differentiator.

Insights from WTW research

• 72%^[1] of employers in Canada indicates that DEI is the largest external factor impacting their benefit strategy
• Employers’ efforts in creating an inclusive and diverse work environment have been received well; 7 in 10 employees rate their employer highly^[2]
• Many employees feel their employers are making progress in DEI issues, but low income and East Asian employees are less likely to think so
• Low income and South Asian employees are less likely to feel that benefits meet their needs
• Younger employees are more likely to trust the benefit products and providers recommended by their employer

Questions benefits leaders are asking…

Potential solutions:

• Employer insights into DEI benefits trends
• Overlay of employee insights to DEI and benefits trends
• Blue sky meeting

Potential solutions:

• High-level DEI assessment of benefits
• Heatmap to highlight areas of further investigation
• Leaves policy review

Potential solutions:

• DEI governance structure assessment
• Assessment of stakeholder views and priorities using surveys/interviews
• Workshop to define equitable and inclusive benefits principles

Potential solutions:

• A comprehensive DEI review of core benefits
• Benchmarking against compliance, market norms and leading DEI market practices
• Basic demographic and election analytics (age, gender) to determine patterns
• Roadmap with priorities to meet objectives
• Ongoing reporting and measurement protocols

Potential solutions:

• Employee listening activities (focus groups, surveys), Employer insights (workshops and leadership interviews)
• Population analytics to measure participation and affordability
• Benchmarking through our existing research and through customized market studies

Footnotes

1. WTW 2021 Best Practices Survey – Canada (BPS) Return to article undo
2. WTW 2022 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey Return to article undo