As the festive period gets well underway and many of us begin winding up for the Christmas break, family, friends and celebrations are likely to be front of mind for the majority.
This time of year, however, also lends itself to a period of reflection, as many look back on the past 12 months and consider what they would like to change for the year ahead. At times, 2023 has seemed rather gloomy, with the cost-of-living crisis continuing to bite for many families, numerous employees turning to strike action to protest over lower-than-desired pay increases, and mistrust of the country’s leadership exacerbated by events such as the Covid inquiry and the events that led to this.
But, as ever, in the reward and benefits world, we have seen myriad employers running some fantastic initiatives to support their workforces in all areas of life. As well as taking steps to further support staff through the cost-of-living crisis, we have seen an increasing number of organisations gaining accreditation for their work in supporting staff through major life stages such as menopause, or for an ageing workforce.
We have also witnessed a rise in the willingness of employers to start conversations and provide support around more sensitive issues, which even just a few years ago would have been regarded as taboo in the workplace. The number of organisations that now provide support for staff experiencing miscarriage or baby loss, for example, is testament to this.
With many truly trailblazing organisations making their mark, we have been delighted to report on their achievements. We are also looking forward to recognising the outstanding contributions of individuals, teams and organisations at the Employee Benefits Awards 2024, which are now open for entries.
I wish you all a happy and healthy festive season from all of us at Employee Benefits. See you in 2024!
Debbie Lovewell-Tuck
Editor
Tweet: @DebbieLovewell