The Hartford’s Future of Benefits Study

Empowering a Healthy and Productive Workforce

Our Future of Benefits study delivers new insights into employee benefit trends and the evolving needs of the U.S. workforce. We believe it can help companies design benefit programs that support their employees and create an inclusive culture.

Worker Happiness and Employee Benefits Trends

Most U.S. workers are at least somewhat happy at work. They aim to do their job well or go above and beyond, contrary to the “quiet quitting” trend. But this happiness is fragile as burnout remains a key concern that employers need to monitor closely.

The Hartford’s 2023 Future of Benefits Study, which surveyed U.S. workers and employers, explores:

The precarious state of worker happiness and how they approach their job
Workers’ desire to experience some degree of in-person work and the value of human connections as employers are bringing more workers back to the workplace
How financial stress affects worker productivity
The importance of easy-to-understand employee benefits and educational resources that help workers better understand which benefits would be best for them
The continued need for mental health support and dialogue in the workplace

84%

of U.S. workers are at least somewhat happy at work.

53%

of employers believe employees at their company would prefer to work remotely full-time if allowed, while only 21% of U.S. workers say this is their preference.

72%

of U.S. workers say employee benefits offered through their employer have at least a moderate impact on their decision to stay with their current company.

“We are in a unique era in the world of work as employers and workers navigate shifting workplace models to discover what will be the new normal. It is encouraging to see most workers are happy in their jobs, but employers must take note of the burnout trend. Companies that have benefits and programs in place to support the personal and professional wellbeing of their employees will foster a happy, healthy and productive workforce that can help their company thrive.”

– Jonathan Bennett, head of Group Benefits at The Hartford

Increased Financial Stress Is Harming U.S. Workers’ Mental Health

Our latest pulse survey found that 63% of U.S. workers feel their financial stress has increased over the past year, and 56% say their financial stress negatively impacts their mental health. The survey also found that many U.S. workers are not prepared financially for an emergency, with 39% of respondents reporting they have less than $1,000 in savings or no savings at all.

Learn More About the Research

View the Infographic

Creating an Inclusive Workplace

Fostering an inclusive workplace is one way that businesses can address the labor shortage and retain talent. In an op-ed in Human Resource Executive, Bennett encourages business leaders to address barriers that often exclude people with disabilities from the workforce.

Access Resources To Create a Stigma-Free Workplace

The Hartford’s Future of Benefits Resources

Find podcasts, articles and research to learn more about The Hartford’s Future of Benefits study and how our insights are helping employers navigate the changing benefits landscape.

Access Additional Future of Benefits Resources

Benefits Insights

Income Protection Benefits: Trends in Paid Family and Medical Leave

An increasing number of states are creating their own paid family and medical leave programs, which could mean more flexibility and customization for employers.

What’s in It for Me? The Importance of Making Employee Benefits Plain and Simple

Standard insurance industry language can make employee benefits hard to understand. Help your workers better relate to their benefit choices by creating plain enrollment messaging with them uniquely in mind.

Lost in Translation: The Right Words Can Remove Barriers To Using Employee Benefits

To help make benefits significantly more relatable and useful to working Americans, employers must explain plainly and simply how employee benefits can support real life moments for their workforce.