Technological Advancements in Employee Benefits
LONDON, April 14, 2025 – Nearly half (46%) of multinational company headquarters are prioritising the expansion of employee-facing technology to enhance benefits management. This finding comes from a recent survey conducted by Towers Watson, a WTW business, highlighting a trend towards incorporating AI and other advanced technologies to improve benefits navigation and decision-making.
As mental, physical, and financial wellness becomes increasingly significant, organisations are leveraging data technology to formulate personalised benefits strategies. Over half (52%) of the companies surveyed view data-driven insights as a top priority for enhancing the overall employee benefits experience.
Aligning Benefits with Corporate Values
Businesses are focusing on using benefits to reflect their mission and Employee Value Proposition (EVP), ensuring alignment between employee welfare and the company’s outward vision. A key aspect of this shift includes raising benefits awareness among employees.
‘Benefits have become valuable to employees, investors and leaders because they both support employees’ all-around health and signal what a company stands for.’
Bateman elaborated, ‘Leading companies are setting minimum global standards for benefits and increasingly utilising advanced technologies to improve their strategies and gather employee insights. Benefits programmes are evolving from being a basic necessity to a reflection of a company’s core values.’
Strategic Focus Areas
The survey identified several strategic focuses:
- Talent Attraction and Retention: 65% of respondents noted that benefits are crucial for distinguishing the company and engaging employees.
- Cost Control: 75% of headquarters prioritise cost management, with a focus on optimising benefit spending.
- Employee Engagement: 79% aim to promote benefits awareness and engage employees actively.
- Minimum Standards: 70% are adopting global minimum benefit standards and directing local decisions.
- Cross-border Benefits Management: 50% of HQs plan to implement cross-country benefits strategies in the future.
Gaby Joyner, Europe Head of Employee Experience at Towers Watson, highlighted, ‘Employee listening programmes are vital to bridging the gap between what companies offer and what employees desire, ensuring funds are allocated to what truly matters.’ Here, effective communication around benefits is crucial to enhancing employee engagement.
Survey Methodology
The findings are based on a survey of 264 global organisations, representing various industries, conducted between September and October 2024 by WTW.
About WTW
WTW (NASDAQ: WTW) provides data-driven solutions in the areas of people, risk, and capital across 140 countries, helping organisations enhance strategy and performance.
