Indiana Employers Offer New Benefits to Attract Workers in Tight Labor Market

In a tight labor market, companies want to lure workers into their talent pools, with some Indiana employers hoping to attract candidates with new, modern benefits. For instance, BP and US Steel are sweetening the package for their nonunion employees with up to 12 weeks of paid maternity time off, infertility coverage and coverage for gender reassignment surgery. Other benefits aimed at attracting talent might include memberships to the local YMCA or elder care assistance, as well as improved coverage for autism. Company spokespeople say benefits packages are evolving to reflect the changes in diversity in society and the workforce. Horseshoe Hammond now offers an on-site wellness clinic and rewards employees who proactively manage their health with discounts, according to Dawn Reynolds Pettit, regional vice president of human resources for Caesars Entertainment, parent of Horseshoe Hammond. The company also offers adoption assistance and this year introduced a parental leave benefit that offers four weeks of additional paid parental leave to a new mom or dad and includes birth, adoption and fostering. Other benefits for Horseshoe employees include an employee lounge, an onsite workout room and game center and discounts at day care centers. “To be successful, benefits absolutely have to advance and change to meet the needs of the changing workforce. As important, I feel, is the need to bridge the sometimes widening gap between home and work for individuals,” Reynolds Pettit says. “If we can offer benefits that are both traditional (health, life and dental) and non-traditional (paid leaves, wellness services and community partnerships), we further cement our ability to have a workforce that is engaged, healthy and committed to the continued success of our business.”

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