The labor market in 2025 presents a unique challenge for employers. Unemployment remains low, but businesses of all sizes still have major growth goals—goals they can’t achieve without the right team. In this type of environment, a strong employee retention strategy hinges on offering benefits that employees want most, and 73% of employers plan on maintaining their current benefits offering—while 20% plan on investing more to attract top talent.
If you’re beginning to look into employee benefits that increase retention, the good news is that you don’t have to figure this out alone. Staffing companies work with thousands of employees across industries and can provide insight into salary trends—like with Spherion’s quarterly salary guides—and other employee benefits trends that increase retention and reduce turnover. By leaning on staffing company benefits expertise, business leaders can design packages that resonate with today’s workforce and set themselves apart in a crowded hiring market.
For more, let’s take a look at the five top employee benefits for 2025 and how partnering with a staffing company can help employers align their strategies with what matters most to their teams.
Flexible work arrangements: the new non-negotiable
For years, flexibility has been climbing the list of employee priorities, and the pandemic pushed that trend even further. By 2025, it has reached the very top. Research shows that 80% of employees say that working flexibly has had a positive impact on their quality of life, making it a deciding factor when evaluating job offers.
What employees want most
Employees today are seeking options like remote work, hybrid schedules, compressed workweeks, and adjustable start and end times. These arrangements reduce stress, promote work-life balance, and ultimately create higher overall job satisfaction. And businesses that recognize flexibility as one of the most important employee benefits in 2025 are seeing better retention outcomes, because employees feel trusted and supported.
How a staffing partnership can give you an edge
In the world of flexible work, a staffing company can help employers navigate scheduling challenges by coordinating shift coverage and matching candidates who are open to nontraditional hours. This level of support not only keeps operations running smoothly but also demonstrates to employees that their well-being matters.
Comprehensive mental health and wellness support
Employee well-being has become a higher priority across industries, with mental health now at the center of workplace conversations. Workers no longer see counseling, stress management programs, or wellness resources as extras, but as part of a complete benefits package.
What employees want most
The most attractive competitive employee packages now include access to counseling services, mindfulness programs, gym memberships, nutrition counseling, and even designated mental health days within PTO policies. These resources show employees that their employer values them as whole people, not just workers.
How a staffing partnership can give you an edge
For employers, staffing companies can assist with improving employee wellness by addressing workplace safety. Agencies play a vital role in ensuring temporary and full-time employees alike are placed in safe environments, with the right certifications and trainings under their belt to keep everyone safe. By keeping safety and wellness in focus, staffing partners help businesses maintain productive, loyal, and healthy workforces.
Financial wellness programs: tackling the #1 employee stressor
While mental health is important, financial concerns remain the top source of stress for employees. In fact, a recent survey shows that 72% of US workers are at least somewhat stressed about their household finances, with 33% reporting they are extremely stressed. And when employees feel financially insecure, their productivity and focus declines. On the flip side, companies that address financial well-being see better performance and loyalty.
What employees want most
Financial wellness programs can take many forms, and all would be appreciated by employees. Some of the most effective include financial counseling and planning services, employer contributions to health savings accounts, retirement planning with matching contributions, emergency financial assistance, and education workshops. These employee retention benefits give staff practical tools to manage today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow.
How a staffing partnership can give you an edge
Staffing companies play an indirect yet important role here. By working together to reduce absenteeism and introduce benefits that alleviate financial stress, staffing partners help employers to achieve stronger retention and higher engagement levels.
Professional learning and development opportunities
One of the clearest employee benefits trends for 2025 is the demand for growth opportunities. Workers don’t want to feel stuck in their roles or like their professional skills are growing stagnant. Instead, they want employers who invest in their skills and long-term careers by offering continued learning and training. In recent studies, 45% of employees stated that they would stick with their employer if they invested more in professional development.
What employees want most
Among professional development options, employees are especially looking for tuition reimbursement, professional certifications, mentorship programs, skills training, and conference opportunities. These programs ensure that your employees feel valued, while also expanding the capabilities of your workforce to make your company stronger and more productive.
How a staffing partnership can give you an edge
From a hiring angle, staffing partners can work directly with employers to help define and build professional development pathways tailored to the types of candidates you want to attract. And with a long-term partnership, a staffing agency like Spherion can weigh in on learning opportunities that will encourage your existing workforce to stick with you. Together, these insights can give employers a competitive edge in securing ambitious, growth-minded workers.
Comprehensive healthcare with cost management
As it has in recent years, healthcare remains a core part of employee benefits in 2025, but the conversation has begun to evolve. With medical costs projected to rise by 8% this year—the sharpest increase in more than a decade—employees are seeking coverage that is both comprehensive and affordable.
What employees want most
Workers are looking for improved access to preventive care, family planning support, caregiver resources, and benefits tailored to life stages such as menopause or grandparent leave. Telehealth access and prescription drug coverage are also highly valued. These options are not only attractive but also practical, helping employees stay healthier and reducing absenteeism. But how do you do it without breaking the budget?
How a staffing partnership can give you an edge
Employers may feel overwhelmed by rising healthcare costs, but staffing agencies can offer guidance. By leaning on their knowledge of small business employee benefits, staffing partners can recommend cost effective employee benefits packages that balance coverage with affordability. They can also help communicate benefits clearly to employees, ensuring that employers’ investments in healthcare are appreciated and result in real retention.
Partnering with a staffing agency can help employers attract top talent
When asking “what benefits do employees value most,” it’s not always easy for employers to get real answers, especially considering that they typically only have visibility into their own workforce. Staffing agencies, on the other hand, interact daily with a wide variety of employees across industries and experience levels. This gives them a unique perspective on the employee benefits that increase retention and how to attract employees with benefits that truly matter.
From helping businesses scale benefits to fit their size, to guiding leaders through employee benefits for temporary workers, staffing partners offer more than just hiring support. They serve as strategic advisors, helping employers design employee retention strategies that keep turnover low and morale high.
Next steps for business leaders
To stay competitive and attract top talent, employers need to rethink benefits as investments rather than expenses. Start by auditing your current offerings against the most important employee benefits 2025 candidates are seeking. Identify any gaps you find and consider how staffing agency benefits expertise might help you close them. As part of this exercise, you should also take a look at your total compensation package, including salary. For real insights into whether the pay you offer is competitive, check out Spherion’s salary guide, updated quarterly. It contains real salary data, organized by industry and market, to help you offer the most effective compensation that attracts your ideal candidates.
Next, work with your staffing partner to design cost effective employee benefits packages that align with both your workforce’s needs and your business goals. Whether it’s increasing flexibility, offering wellness support, providing financial resources, encouraging professional development, or managing healthcare costs, your staffing partner can help make these initiatives achievable.
Employee retention is one of the most powerful ways to protect your bottom line
The labor market in 2025 is tight, but employers who prioritize the right benefits can position themselves for growth. Flexible work, mental health and wellness, financial stability, professional development, and comprehensive healthcare represent the top employee benefits shaping the year. These benefits not only attract employees but also build loyalty, reduce turnover, and strengthen profitability.
By partnering with staffing companies that understand employee benefits trends and have access to real-time feedback from workers, employers can create competitive employee packages that set them apart. The result is a workforce that feels supported, valued, and motivated to stay for the long term.