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Hiring Talent 2021
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Hiring and Retaining Talent | For Agents | Pie Insurance

As a result of the ongoing pandemic, insurance agencies must rethink how they attract, hire, retain, and manage new hires. Here’s what workers value now and in the future.
Hiring and Retaining Talent | For Agents | Pie Insurance

Hiring in 2021

You don’t need us to tell you that the workforce—and workplace—is changing. As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, insurance agencies must rethink how they attract, hire, retain, and manage employees.

What do workers value now?

While many of these perks probably won’t surprise you, it’s important that hiring managers understand what candidates are looking for when weighing their employment options. A large desk and an ergonomic keyboard aren’t enough; survey data compiled by PeopleKeep and Fractl found that the most sought-after employee benefits in 2020 were:

  • Remote work

  • Health insurance: medical, dental, and vision coverage

  • Paid time off: more vacation time, and unlimited vacation time to recharge and refocus

  • Flexible hours/flex time off: the ability to balance work and life

  • Paid family leave: only about one-third of companies offer paid maternity or paternity leave and providing paid leave will be a differentiator when you’re hiring new talent (SHRM)

  • Free daycare

  • Fitness perks: like onsite gyms or reimbursement for memberships to fitness centers or yoga studios

  • Four-day workweek: while some small businesses scale back hours in the summer, the practice can yield year-round boosts in productivity

  • Free coffee, snacks, or meals in the office: more than two-thirds of employees who have access to free food at work report being “very” or “extremely happy” on the job

  • Student loan and tuition assistance: fosters continued learning and professional growth

  • Pet insurance or pet-friendly offices: can appeal to both younger employees and empty-nesters

When you’re hiring, employee benefits help attract and retain top talent. Interestingly, women are more likely to prefer a workplace culture that offers flexibility, like paid parental leave and remote work options, while men are more likely to prefer benefits like free employee outings, team bonding events, and an onsite gym.

However, offering the right menu of benefits that deliver an ROI can be a challenge for small insurance agencies. Don’t invest in benefits your employees don’t value, say the experts. Not sure which perks will resonate most with your team? Try sending out a survey asking employees to rank current and potential benefits. Then, look for cost-effective ways to offer your employees the highest-rated benefits.

What this means for insurance agencies

Millions of American employees are still working remotely, and it appears that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future. Business leaders now must expand the hiring pool beyond their geographical location to attract employees who can boost an organization’s creativity and productivity, regardless of where they live.

To find strong candidates for your agency, experts suggest looking into untapped pools of talent, such as people who’ve put their careers on hold to care for children or aging parents, retired Baby Boomers who still want to work a few hours a week, and part-time, contract, and gig workers—who now comprise a larger percentage of the workforce than ever before.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way employees view and approach work. To attract, hire, and retain talent, small business owners will need to embrace new, flexible work models and design a workplace culture that empowers employees to steer their own careers. The ROI for doing so is two-fold: increased engagement and motivation from your current employees, and the ability to gain the attention of creative critical thinkers who can help move your business forward.


Thanks for reading our educational resource! Any above reference to a specific company, method, or product is meant for educational purposes only and is not specifically endorsed by Pie.

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