News & Announcements

Education Assistance Programs and Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Were On the Rise in 2019

Published Tuesday, December 3, 2019 6:25 am



Employers continue to expand their Total Rewards offerings to attract, engage and retain top performing employees.  Not surprisingly, given societal and media focus on student debt and pay equity, education assistance programs (26% in 2019 vs. 10% in 2018) and diversity and inclusion initiatives (65% in 2019 vs. 58% in 2018) increased year-over-year.  The annual survey continues to evolve as employee expectations and the workplace change; this year, questions related to salary specifics (e.g., market-based adjustments (not COLA)); well-being (e.g., workplace sleep programs, fitness-related subsidies); redirected PTO (e.g., to 401(k)s or college savings); and development opportunities, among others, were added.

The following programs were reportedly offered at statistically significant higher rates in 2019 over 2018.

 

2018

2019

Employee scholarships/student aid/loans

10%

26%

Major family event celebration

27%

38%

Annualized hours

8%

15%

Diversity/inclusion initiatives

58%

65%

Adoption reimbursement

20%

26%

College scholarships for employees’ children

20%

26%

On-site fitness center

52%

58%

Appreciation luncheons, outings, formal events

76%

81%

Immunization clinics or promotions

79%

84%

Multigenerational initiatives

19%

24%

Paid parental leave

52%

57%

Leadership training

84%

88%

Self-development tools

80%

84%

“The breadth of Total Rewards has become increasingly diverse and expansive, in ways that would astonish workers from previous generations,” said Scott Cawood, president & CEO, WorldatWork. “In this tight job market where competition to recruit top talent across all levels is fierce, organizations are responding to the changing needs and desires of the workforce with a multitude of Total Rewards options. For example, with pay equity a hot button issue, diversity and inclusion initiatives to help address pay gaps are becoming more prevalent.”

WorldatWork collected survey data for the Inventory of Total Rewards Programs & Practices Results in August 2019.  The survey report was based on 701 responses.  The demographics of the survey sample and the respondents are similar to the WorldatWork membership as a whole.  The typical WorldatWork member works at the managerial level or higher in the headquarters of a large company in North America.

Source: WorldatWork

By using this website, you agree to HEC's Privacy Policy and HEC's Terms of Use.

Subscribe

If you are a member, please login below to manage your subscription. Otherwise, click "Continue to Subscribe"

Login  Continue to Subscribe

How did you hear about HEC?

I would like to receive the following:

News & Updates
Training Events Notices

Subscribe

Fill out the fields below to receive HEC emails.

First Name
Last Name
Email
Organization