Technology has changed how we navigate our lives – how we communicate with family and friends, shop, pay bills and connect with healthcare providers. Technology also played an essential role in business continuity during the pandemic, allowing employees to work remotely and collaborate without in-person interaction.
Employees today use online tools for convenience, efficiency and speed, and have come to expect the tools provided by their employer to have a similar consumer-grade experience.
Rapid digitalisation in the workplace has placed pressure on the technology strategy and accompanying data strategy of organisations in the region (Figure 1).1 The digitalised employee experience (EX) needs to be duly considered by organisations in their benefit strategy – allowing employees to learn about, manage and access their benefits remotely. This may be daunting for organisations that view technology adoption as complex and costly in terms of implementation. But it doesn’t have to be.
Figure 1. Pressure on technology and data strategies has been emphasised over the past three years
Developing benefit strategy and employee experience through technology
In Asia Pacific, only 12% of organisations have a “Transformative EX”, where their EX is integrated with business strategy, and they have invested in technology to deliver better business and people outcomes. One-third of employers are striving for this, but are not there yet. (Figure 2).2
Figure 2. Asia Pacific organisations are at different levels of EX development, very few use technology to advance the EX
Only one in seven Asia Pacific employers are currently using market-leading technology to deliver benefits and self-assess the effectiveness of their benefit strategy. However, enhancing tools and technology to improve employees’ experience with benefits is one of the top strategic objectives in the next two years.3
Employers are looking to better leverage technology by planning or considering new digital tools and benefit innovations (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Asia Pacific employers are planning to take advantage of various digital tools and technology in the next two years
As an employer, to successfully introduce technology into your employee benefit strategy, here are key features you should look for:
Technology will continue to evolve how the workforce function in their personal lives and at work, therefore, organisations must consider investing in software and connectivity to build and deliver a quality employee experience. Doing so will help employees be more productive, feel connected, and be able to select the benefits that serve their needs and wants – anytime and anywhere.
Our series will wrap up by diving further into the area of benefit communication and its importance in improving the employee experience.
Sources
1 WTW 2021 Reimagining Work and Rewards Survey – Asia Pacific
2 WTW 2021 Employee Experience Survey – Asia Pacific
3 WTW 2021 Benefit Trends Survey – Asia Pacific
Author
Modernising Benefits
Navigate the many complex decisions around benefit design and delivery.
