Editor's Note

Striking a perfect work-life balance has always been a challenging task, especially among today’s workforce. Though millennials value the balance, it has been difficult for them to achieve so.
 
Work-life balance policies play an important role in building a more productive workforce. However, with round-the-clock assistance to customers, expectations to staying connected to work physically and/ virtually have increased exponentially. Providing opportunities for work-life balance would benefit everyone, internally and externally. Read this month’s cover article by Rebecca Brooks, Stop Punching A Clock And Start Engaging – The Ultimate Agency, where she talks about how employers can create an environment where employees are more accountable and takes up ownership of their work, which makes them more efficient and happy.
 

Digital distractions have become the new workplace normal. While real-time communication is beneficial, devices pose a challenge for leaders to maintain and grow influence with clients, colleagues and employees.Stacey Hanke’s article, Break Through Digital Distractions To Make A Real Connection, lists 8 ways leaders can unplug from digital distractions, use it to grow their level of influence and teach employees how to disconnect from technology and plug into conversations that matter.
 
Employee perks have been a hot topic of late, with some companies providing flashy offerings such as on-site concierge services, massage therapy, and even beer carts. However, do extravagant perks help employers attract, engage or retain employees? And more importantly, do these offerings provide real value to employees? Read Monica Haberl’s article, Perks At Work, for top three kinds of perks that may be particularly relevant for today’s workers.

Costs for employee benefits programs continue to rise – often beyond the reach of the average small company. Yet these same programs can help your employee retention plans. Inga Nelson’s article,Benefit Plans For Small Companies, outlines several possibilities that may be relevant for smaller companies and their employees.  

This is not all! We have a variety of other informative articles on employee benefits and wellness in this issue.We hope you will enjoy reading all the articles and get back to us with your valuable feedback.
 
Happy Reading!