Skip to main content
  • Foundation
  • Executive network
  • CEO Circle
  • Enterprise Solutions
  • Linkage Logo
  • Store
  • Sign In
  • Account
    • My Account
    • Logout
    • Global
    • India
    • MENA
SHRM
About
Book a Speaker
Join Today
Renew
Rejoin Now
Renew
  • Membership
  • Certification
    Certification

    Smiling asian student studying in library with laptop books doing online research for coursework, making notes for essay homework assignment, online education e-learning concept
    Get Certified!

    Be recognized as an HR leader with your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credential.

    • How to Get Certified

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations. No other HR certification compares.

      • How to Get Certified
      • Eligibility Criteria
      • Exam Details and Fees
      • SHRM-CP
      • SHRM-SCP
      • Which Certification is Best for Me
      • Certification FAQs
    • Prepare for the Exam

      Give yourself the best chance to pass your SHRM certification exam.

      • Exam Preparation
      • SHRM BASK
      • SHRM Learning System
      • Instructor-Led Learning
      • Self-Study
      • Study Aids & Add-ons
    • Recertification

      Recertify your SHRM Credentials before your end date!

      • Specialty Credentials
      • Qualifications
  • Topics & Tools
    Topics & Tools

    Stay up to date with workplace news and leverage our vast library of resources to streamline day-to-day HR tasks.

    The white house in washington, dc.
    Executive Order Impact Zone

    Do not abandon, but evaluate and evolve. It is about legal, equal opportunity for all.

    • News & Trends

      Follow breaking news and emerging workplace trends.

      Legal & Compliance

      Stay informed on workplace legal updates and their impacts.

      From the Workplace

      Explore diverse perspectives from your peers on today's workplaces.

      Flagships

      Get curated collections of podcasts, videos, articles, and more produced by SHRM.

    • HR Topics
      • AI in the Workplace
      • Civility at Work
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Inclusion & Diversity
      • Talent Acquisition
      • Workplace Technology
      • Workplace Violence Prevention
      SEE ALL
      SHRM Research
    • Tools & Samples

      Access member resources and tools to streamline HR tasks.

      • Forms & Checklists
      • How-To Guides
      • Interactive Tools
      • Job Descriptions
      • Policies
      • Toolkits
      SEE ALL
      Ask an Advisor
  • Events & Education
    Events & Education

    SHRM25 in San Diego, June 29 - July 2, 2025
    Join us for SHRM25 in San Diego

    Register for the World’s Largest HR Conference being held on June 29 - July 2, 2025

    • Events
      • SHRM25
      • The AI+HI Project 2025
      • INCLUSION 2025
      • Talent 2026
      • Linkage Institute 2025
      SEE ALL
      Webinars
    • Educational Programs

      Designed and delivered by HR experts to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to drive lasting change in the workplace.

      Specialty Credentials

      Demonstrate targeted competence and enhance credibility among peers and employers.

      Qualifications

      Gain a deeper understanding and develop critical skills.

    • Team Training & Development

      Customized training programs unique to your organization’s needs.

  • Business Solutions
  • Advocacy
    Advocacy

    Make your voice heard on public policy issues impacting the workplace.

    Advocacy
    SHRM's President & CEO testifies to Congress on "The State of American Education"
    • Policy Areas
      • Workforce Development
      • Workplace Inclusion
      • Workplace Flexibility & Leave
      • Workplace Governance
      • Workplace Health Care
      • Workplace Immigration
      State Affairs

      SHRM advances policy solutions in state legislatures nationwide.

      Global Policy

      SHRM is the go-to for global HR leaders and businesses on workplace matters.

    • Advocacy Team (A-Team)

      SHRM’s A-Team is a key member benefit, giving you the tools, insights, and opportunities to shape workplace policy and drive real impact.

      Take Action

      Urge lawmakers to support policies that create lasting, positive change.

      Advocacy & Legislative Resources

      Access SHRM’s curated policy materials and content.

    • SHRM-Led Coalitions
      • Generation Cares
      • The Section 127 Coalition
      • Learn More & Partner with SHRM Government Affairs
  • Community
    Community

    Woman raising hand in group
    Find a SHRM Chapter

    Easily find a local professional or student chapter in your area.

    • Chapters

      Find local connections from over 607 chapters and state councils and create your personalized HR network.

      SHRM Connect

      Post polls, get crowdsourced answers to your questions and network with other HR professionals online.

      SHRM Northern California

      Join SHRM members in the greater San Francisco Bay area for local events and networking.

    • Membership Councils

      Learn about SHRM's five regional councils and the Membership Advisory Council (MAC).

      • Membership Advisory Council
      • Regional Councils
    • Volunteers

      Learn about volunteer opportunities with SHRM.

      • Volunteer Leader Resource Center
Close
  • Membership
  • Certification
    back
    Certification
    Smiling asian student studying in library with laptop books doing online research for coursework, making notes for essay homework assignment, online education e-learning concept
    Get Certified!

    Be recognized as an HR leader with your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credential.

    • How to Get Certified

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations. No other HR certification compares.

      • How to Get Certified
      • Eligibility Criteria
      • Exam Details and Fees
      • SHRM-CP
      • SHRM-SCP
      • Which Certification is Best for Me
      • Certification FAQs
    • Prepare for the Exam

      Give yourself the best chance to pass your SHRM certification exam.

      • Exam Preparation
      • SHRM BASK
      • SHRM Learning System
      • Instructor-Led Learning
      • Self-Study
      • Study Aids & Add-ons
    • Recertification

      Recertify your SHRM Credentials before your end date!

      • Specialty Credentials
      • Qualifications
  • Topics & Tools
    back
    Topics & Tools

    Stay up to date with workplace news and leverage our vast library of resources to streamline day-to-day HR tasks.

    The white house in washington, dc.
    Executive Order Impact Zone

    Do not abandon, but evaluate and evolve. It is about legal, equal opportunity for all.

    • News & Trends

      Follow breaking news and emerging workplace trends.

      Legal & Compliance

      Stay informed on workplace legal updates and their impacts.

      From the Workplace

      Explore diverse perspectives from your peers on today's workplaces.

      Flagships

      Get curated collections of podcasts, videos, articles, and more produced by SHRM.

    • HR Topics
      • AI in the Workplace
      • Civility at Work
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Inclusion & Diversity
      • Talent Acquisition
      • Workplace Technology
      • Workplace Violence Prevention
      SEE ALL
      SHRM Research
    • Tools & Samples

      Access member resources and tools to streamline HR tasks.

      • Forms & Checklists
      • How-To Guides
      • Interactive Tools
      • Job Descriptions
      • Policies
      • Toolkits
      SEE ALL
      Ask an Advisor
  • Events & Education
    back
    Events & Education
    SHRM25 in San Diego, June 29 - July 2, 2025
    Join us for SHRM25 in San Diego

    Register for the World’s Largest HR Conference being held on June 29 - July 2, 2025

    • Events
      • SHRM25
      • The AI+HI Project 2025
      • INCLUSION 2025
      • Talent 2026
      • Linkage Institute 2025
      SEE ALL
      Webinars
    • Educational Programs

      Designed and delivered by HR experts to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to drive lasting change in the workplace.

      Specialty Credentials

      Demonstrate targeted competence and enhance credibility among peers and employers.

      Qualifications

      Gain a deeper understanding and develop critical skills.

    • Team Training & Development

      Customized training programs unique to your organization’s needs.

  • Business Solutions
  • Advocacy
    back
    Advocacy

    Make your voice heard on public policy issues impacting the workplace.

    Advocacy
    SHRM's President & CEO testifies to Congress on "The State of American Education"
    • Policy Areas
      • Workforce Development
      • Workplace Inclusion
      • Workplace Flexibility & Leave
      • Workplace Governance
      • Workplace Health Care
      • Workplace Immigration
      State Affairs

      SHRM advances policy solutions in state legislatures nationwide.

      Global Policy

      SHRM is the go-to for global HR leaders and businesses on workplace matters.

    • Advocacy Team (A-Team)

      SHRM’s A-Team is a key member benefit, giving you the tools, insights, and opportunities to shape workplace policy and drive real impact.

      Take Action

      Urge lawmakers to support policies that create lasting, positive change.

      Advocacy & Legislative Resources

      Access SHRM’s curated policy materials and content.

    • SHRM-Led Coalitions
      • Generation Cares
      • The Section 127 Coalition
      • Learn More & Partner with SHRM Government Affairs
  • Community
    back
    Community
    Woman raising hand in group
    Find a SHRM Chapter

    Easily find a local professional or student chapter in your area.

    • Chapters

      Find local connections from over 607 chapters and state councils and create your personalized HR network.

      SHRM Connect

      Post polls, get crowdsourced answers to your questions and network with other HR professionals online.

      SHRM Northern California

      Join SHRM members in the greater San Francisco Bay area for local events and networking.

    • Membership Councils

      Learn about SHRM's five regional councils and the Membership Advisory Council (MAC).

      • Membership Advisory Council
      • Regional Councils
    • Volunteers

      Learn about volunteer opportunities with SHRM.

      • Volunteer Leader Resource Center
Join Today
Renew
Rejoin Now
Renew
  • Store
    • Global
    • India
    • MENA
  • About
  • Book a Speaker
  • Foundation
  • Executive network
  • CEO Circle
  • Enterprise Solutions
  • Linkage Logo
SHRM
Sign In
  • Account
    • My Account
    • Logout
Close

  1. Topics & Tools
  2. Workplace News & Trends
  3. Compensation & Benefits
  4. Crafting Benefits for Onsite vs. Offsite Employees
Share
  • Linked In
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus convallis sem tellus, vitae egestas felis vestibule ut.


Error message details.

Copy button
Reuse Permissions

Request permission to republish or redistribute SHRM content and materials.


Learn More
News

Crafting Benefits for Onsite vs. Offsite Employees

March 1, 2023 | Lin Grensing-Pophal

A man working on his laptop at home with his dog.


​Sudden shifts in employees' benefits needs and preferences since the onset of the pandemic have pushed many employers to reconsider their offerings to ensure they are providing options that will appeal to all kinds of employees.

One big reason for the changing preferences? More employees are working remotely. Employers now have to accommodate onsite and offsite workers alike with various offerings.

Offsite employees, for instance, can't avail themselves of benefits accessible solely through the physical work environment. Conversely, onsite employees may not have the flexibility that offsite employees are able to enjoy.

Considering the needs of both sets of workers and offering options that are varied, flexible and accessible can help employers attract and retain talent. From specific types of perks to broader strategies, here's a look at how employers are modifying benefits for both onsite and offsite workers.

High-Quality Tech Matters

When employers sent many staff members home to work three years ago this month, they quickly found that employees had differing technology needs. Rather than trusting in employees' personal devices, employers have stepped up to invest in better technology and equipment to support remote workers, said Walter Sabrin, senior vice president of recruiting services at Vensure, a Chandler, Ariz.-based professional employer organization. This investment can be especially economical when employers are also saving on office rent and supplies, he said.

Employers' hardware investments include computers, smartphones, and cameras and lighting for video calls, while software and app investments include Slack, Zoom and SharePoint.

Virtual Learning and Career Development Grows

A 2022 LinkedIn report indicates learning and career development opportunities are the top factors that employees identify as characterizing an exceptional work environment.

These offerings have been adjusted to accommodate remote workers, Sabrin said. Offering better virtual learning and career development programs in addition to in-person training ensures that all employees have equal access to these opportunities.

Many Workers Want Flexibility

One benefit that appeals to many employees—whether working remotely, in a hybrid model or entirely onsite—is flexibility, according to research from Gusto, a San Francisco-based payroll and benefits platform for small and medium-sized businesses. Flexibility is a main factor both in deciding whether to stay with an employer and in considering whether to accept a job offer. According to Gusto's research:

  • Among workers who declined their last job offer, 45 percent said flexibility or work/life balance was the most important factor in their decision. 
  • Among all respondents, 48 percent said being able to work from home some or all of the time would be either the most important or a major factor in deciding whether to accept a future offer.

Research by New York City-based consulting firm Buck supports these findings, said Tom Kelly, a principal in Buck's health practice. However, he noted a significant difference between generations: 41 percent of Millennials said they want more job flexibility, compared to only 26 percent of Baby Boomers, according to Buck's 2022 Well-being and Voluntary Benefits Survey.

Retirement Benefits May Improve Retention

Some traditional benefits remain important to both remote and onsite employees—health and retirement benefits in particular. Gusto's data indicates that 401(k) plans have a major positive impact on retention: On average, workers are 40 percent less likely to leave a job during their first year when they are offered retirement benefits. The number is even higher for industries that don't traditionally offer retirement benefits, such as retail and food and beverage.

Employers Have a Range of Creative Options

Employers are looking beyond the typical offerings to ensure that both onsite and offsite employees are receiving benefits that meet their needs.

  • Buck's Kelly shared some ideas based on the offerings he's seen:Access to discounts, financing options and subsidies through lifestyle savings accounts.
  • Caregiver benefits.
  • In-home fitness and wellness benefits.
  • Mental and physical wellness perks, including subscriptions to mental health apps such as Calm, Headspace and Ginger.
  • In-home meal delivery.
  • Identity-theft protection programs.

Other popular options include grocery delivery services; Amazon Prime memberships; streaming music services; books or movie memberships; in-home yoga; child at-home education tools and support; pet supply delivery; and meal discounts and delivery, Kelly said.

Ensure Equity for All

Employers need to give equal weight to both remote and onsite employees when considering offerings, said Jeri Hawthorne, who leads the HR function for all corporate support areas at insurance provider Aflac.

"While we know the needs of onsite workers may differ from those who are fully remote, it's important to remember that anyone could become a remote employee—or vice versa—at any moment in time, so your benefits offerings should be equitable throughout the organization," Hawthorne said. "For example, if you have an onsite fitness center, offer a health club benefit for remote employees."

It's also important to ensure that any differential benefit system is implemented with objective and transparent standards, said Robert Bird, a professor of business law at the University of Connecticut. "A system that is unclear or without clear criteria may inadvertently impose a disproportionate burden on a protected class of people, such as women or persons of color," he explained.

In addition, maintaining a differential system "requires not only frequent assessment of its metrics, but also a periodic review to ensure that such a system is equitable and fair for both remote and onsite workers," Bird said.

Clear Communication Is Key

The best, most varied benefits options in the world won't meet employees' needs if they're not aware of the options or if they don't understand the value of the benefits or how to best leverage them.

Experts agreed that ongoing communication is critical.

"In 2023, you must listen to your team, trust your managers and put together a cohesive strategy from the top down for your entire workforce," Vensure's Sabrin said. "Then communicate it openly so there's no misunderstanding, which will help manage expectations and achieve buy-in from remote and onsite employees alike."

It's also important to stay progressive and make sure there is a culture of full transparency around benefit offerings, Sabrin said, as employees today simply won't tolerate a rigid working environment that doesn't adapt to their needs.

Aflac's Hawthorne agreed. "How employees are made aware of and educated around benefit offerings is key to enabling them to make informed choices," she said. "For example, it is easier for an onsite employee to meet with their manager or benefit specialist in person if they have a question about offerings, but a remote employee may find it difficult to get the information they need."

Employers can address this by being intentional about reaching remote employees, Hawthorne said: "Maybe you set up a remote workers' benefits learning group or digestible benefits literature that answers frequently asked questions, housing it in an easily accessible location on your intranet, making the benefits process simpler for everyone."

Ultimately, the big advantage for employers is the ability to reimagine their benefits offerings along with their employees, Hawthorne said. Leaders have the opportunity to listen to their employees—whether they're remote, onsite or hybrid—and to keep paying attention. As the environment continues to change, so will benefits preferences. To remain competitive in a tight employee economy, it pays to be alert to these shifts.

Lin Grensing-Pophal, SHRM-SCP, is a Wisconsin-based business journalist with HR consulting experience in employee communication, training and management issues.

Benefits
Remote and Hybrid Work
Retirement Benefits
Work Life Integration

Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace

​An organization run by AI is not a futuristic concept. Such technology is already a part of many workplaces and will continue to shape the labor market and HR. Here's how employers and employees can successfully manage generative AI and other AI-powered systems.



Related Content

Kelly Dobbs Bunting speaks onstage at SHRM24
(opens in a new tab)
News
Why AI+HI Is Essential to Compliance

HR must always include human intelligence and oversight of AI in decision-making in hiring and firing, a legal expert said at SHRM24. She added that HR can ensure compliance by meeting the strictest AI standards, which will be in Colorado’s upcoming AI law.

(opens in a new tab)
News
A 4-Day Workweek? AI-Fueled Efficiencies Could Make It Happen

The proliferation of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and the ensuing expected increase in productivity and efficiency, could help usher in the four-day workweek, some experts predict.

(opens in a new tab)
News
How One Company Uses Digital Tools to Boost Employee Well-Being

Learn how Marsh McLennan successfully boosts staff well-being with digital tools, improving productivity and work satisfaction for more than 20,000 employees.

HR Daily Newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest HR news, trends, and expert advice each business day.

Success title

Success caption

Manage Subscriptions
  • About SHRM
  • Careers at SHRM
  • Press Room
  • Contact SHRM
  • Book a SHRM Executive Speaker
  • Advertise with Us
  • Partner with Us
  • Copyright & Permissions
  • Post a Job
  • Find an HR Job
Follow Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • SHRM Newsletters
  • Ask An Advisor

© 2025 SHRM. All Rights Reserved

SHRM provides content as a service to its readers and members. It does not offer legal advice, and cannot guarantee the accuracy or suitability of its content for a particular purpose. Disclaimer


  1. Privacy Policy

  2. Terms of Use

  3. Accessibility

Join SHRM for Exclusive Access to Member Content

SHRM Members enjoy unlimited access to articles and exclusive member resources.

Already a member?
Free Article
Limit Reached

Get unlimited access to articles and member-exclusive resources.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join to access unlimited articles and member-only resources.

Already a member?
Free Article
Exclusive Executive-Level Content

This content is for the SHRM Executive Network and Executive Content Subscription members only.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join the Executive Network and enjoy unlimited content.

Already a member?
Free Article
Exclusive Executive-Level Content

This content is for the SHRM Executive Network and Executive Content Subscription members only.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join and enjoy unlimited access to SHRM Executive Network Content.

Already a member?
Unlock Your Career with SHRM Membership

Please enjoy this free resource! Join SHRM for unlimited access to exclusive articles and tools.

Already a member?

Your membership is almost expired! Renew today for unlimited access to member content.

Renew now

Your membership has expired. Renew today for unlimited access to member content.

Renew Now

Your Executive Network membership is nearing its expiration. Renew now to maintain access.

Renew Now

Your membership has expired. Renew your Executive Network benefits today.

Renew Now