Overview
Hearst, a leading global media and information company, recognized that a significant portion of its workforce faced the challenges of caregiving, impacting their productivity and overall well-being. To address these challenges, Hearst partnered with SupportPay to provide a comprehensive caregiving benefits solution.
Challenge
With 86% of Hearst employees reporting stress related to caregiving responsibilities, the company needed a way to support these employees effectively. Many were juggling work commitments while caring for children, elderly parents, or family members with disabilities. This strain often led to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and heightened employee burnout.
Solution
SupportPay implemented its caregiving benefits program, offering Hearst employees access to:
- User-Friendly Technology: A platform that streamlines the management of caregiving responsibilities, allowing employees to track schedules, share updates, and communicate with family members.
- Resources and Tools: Educational materials and tools to help employees navigate caregiving challenges, including financial planning resources and self-care strategies.
- Dedicated Support: Access to customer support specialists who could assist employees in utilizing the platform effectively and addressing their specific needs.
Results
The implementation of SupportPay yielded significant benefits for Hearst:
- Increased Employee Engagement: Employees reported feeling more supported in their caregiving roles, leading to higher job satisfaction and engagement scores.
- Improved Productivity: With the burden of managing caregiving responsibilities eased, employees experienced less stress and could focus more on their work tasks.
- Positive Cultural Shift: Hearst fostered a more compassionate work environment, enhancing its reputation as an employer that values employee well-being.
Testimonial
“We think a lot about the stretching of that full-time worker that’s also a parent and how we can help them with well-being but also financially, but we weren’t really doing anything in terms of divorce,” she says. “We don’t talk about the support they might need. We may think about it in terms of mental well-being, and we certainly address that, but not about additional support very specific to that profile of an employee. I hadn’t seen anything like SupportPay that very specifically supports divorced parents trying to manage expenses with someone else. It closed a gap that we had.” -Maria Walsh, SVP & Head of Benefits, HearstLab
Conclusion
By partnering with SupportPay, Hearst has successfully addressed the caregiving needs of its employees, demonstrating a commitment to supporting work-life balance and fostering a healthier workplace culture. This collaboration not only benefited individual employees but also strengthened Hearst’s overall organizational health.