The role of employee benefits in the flexible working debate
How to meet your people where they are

Five years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and changed the way many of us live and work – seemingly forever. As lockdowns eventually lifted, hybrid and flexible working patterns became the new ‘normal’. And as millions globally adjusted to the new hybrid world, demand for housing with office space grew in many markets and the make-up of local communities changed.1
Now, five years on, that sense of permanence is fading as the employment world debates whether remote, hybrid and flexible working patterns are best for business. Workers who moved outside of expensive cities to more rural, affordable or desirable lifestyles are among those now being called back to central working locations.
And many multinationals are among the employers currently weighing up the pros and cons of whether to maintain the status quo – or require their people to return to in-person workspaces and pre-pandemic work schedules.
As the debate rages on and multinationals consider their options, it’s worth re-considering the role of flexible working on both employee health and wellbeing and employee benefits (EB) trends.
Before we dive into the discussion around how work location can affect factors from health to inclusivity, it’s worth looking at what the flexible working landscape looks like for employees.
What do employees and jobseekers think about flexible working in 2025?
Firstly, it’s important to define what we are talking about when we are referring to ‘flexible working’. In this article we’ll be using it as an all-encompassing term that describes fully remote or hybrid working patterns that balance working from home and presence in a physical workspace.
A new Aon survey shows flexible working remains one of the top five most influential workplace characteristics attracting talent in 2025.2 In Australia, flexible working ranks among the top five most valued workplace benefits among employees – particularly among Gen Z, Millennials and Baby Boomers. The picture is similar in France, Germany, Brazil and Colombia, where flexible working is highly valued across generations.
Interestingly, Aon’s data indicates that hybrid workers worldwide feel more valued by their employers than their fully remote counterparts. Hybrid workers are more likely to describe their wellbeing as thriving or good, while fully remote employees tend to report feeling undervalued and struggling with their wellbeing.
Flexible working appears to be drawing a bigger, more global talent pool to multinationals. According to Aon’s report, the remote working trend has raised the profile of multinational companies among jobseekers who are interested in accessing a broader range of roles and salaries across borders.
Flexible work and physical health
The flexible working debate has generated plenty of discussion over whether working from home is enabling people to lead healthier lifestyles. Some workers relish flexible working conditions to improve their lifestyle – spending more time with loved ones, making fresh food at home, getting outdoors to enjoy the daylight and nature during breaks, and exercising at times that fit around their remote workday.
Others can fall into unhealthy habits – sitting for long periods without breaks, struggling to exercise, and making unhealthy food choices.
We’re likely all aware the impacts of sedentary roles involving sitting at a desk in front of a computer on employees’ health. Sedentary roles trigger potential for associated health issues like musculoskeletal disease (MSK) – which our claims data shows is continuing to be a leading cost driver globally for multinationals’ claims spending, in a trend that pre-dates the pandemic.3
Figures from our 2024 report: How do industry, culture and gender affect your workforce’s health? Insights from MAXIS claims data
Figures from our 2024 report: How do industry, culture and gender affect your workforce’s health? Insights from MAXIS claims data
The World Health Organization warns that the combination of physical inactivity, poor nutrition and unhealthy habits like smoking tobacco are contributing to the global rapid rise of chronic but preventable conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.4
It’s hard to say conclusively whether flexible working directly makes employees healthier, as so much of it is down to individual choice and action. Whether a worker is flourishing or floundering, working from home or in a traditional workplace, the additional flexibility of a hybrid role puts the power in the employees’ hands. Of course, multinationals can nudge them into healthy choices
EB strategies for multinationals
Workplace educational campaigns about the risks of smoking, drinking and poor diet have been around for a long time, but the rise of flexible working in the digital age has created fresh opportunities to engage employees. Employers can use data to their advantage, targeting campaigns that focus on the biggest cost drivers seen in medical claims data, helping improve overall employee health.
Technology can help too. Fitness trackers can help promote health and fitness, while behavioural change apps can help employees form healthy habits. Virtual healthcare provided via apps can help people connect to a medical professional, often much faster than traditional in-person appointments.
And don’t forget gamification. Step challenges and other exercise-related competitions can help incentivise and reward people for making the healthier choices. While all these strategies work for an in-person workforce, those working more flexibly will likely be better placed to commit to their health, alongside a busy work and personal schedule.
Flexible work and mental health
Workers often value a hybrid work situation for improving work-life balance. Being able to cut out the commute and work from home can allow people to balance everyday life tasks around their work day – with the potential to reduce stress and boost productivity.
Indeed, studies claim hybrid workers do eat more healthily, exercise more, sleep for longer – and report being more productive, too.5 Hybrid workers told one survey a healthy work-life balance allows them to spend more time with friends and family and on hobbies that improve their wellbeing.6

On the flipside, the rise of remote working has also been linked to the ‘loneliness epidemic’ in some parts of the world. Of course, this can’t be completely blamed on the remote working trend. As pandemic restrictions took hold around the world in 2020, Generation Z was finishing school and entering into adulthood. Consequently, many of the youngest generation in today’s workforce have begun their careers and adult social lives replacing in-person contact with screen-time. This generation may be more vulnerable to mental health issues due to this isolation and the rise of technologies that replace in-person conversations.8 Virtual working also means employees can’t always see their colleagues struggling, potentially limiting opportunities for employers to intervene and offer wellbeing support.
EB strategies for multinationals
Multinationals can take a proactive role in helping to support their people’s wellbeing at home and in traditional workplaces. Mental health services tend to be the most highly valued benefits among Gen Z employees, who also report interest in app-based EB options.9 During the pandemic, many workers grew accustomed to being able to have appointments with health and wellbeing professionals from home – resulting in less time off needed for in-person appointments.
Given the sensitive nature of mental health discussions, telemedicine, tele-mental health services and employee assistance programmes (EAPs) can be more convenient for employees to use when they’re working remotely, and can ensure equitable access for those working in locations where mental healthcare provision is lacking.
But multinationals should be wary of implementing entirely remote solutions, given technology’s role in a sense of isolation for some workers. Employers can offer options to connect their people with in-person wellbeing support. Many virtual care apps available on the EB marketplace today offer ‘concierge’ services that help workers find and book in-person appointments as well as remote calls.
Employers could also consider training mental health first aiders, who are there to spot the signs a colleague might be struggling and direct them to the resources that are available. Also, implementing mentoring schemes, training days and other in-person activities can help foster team spirit and tackle the loneliness some may be facing.
Andrew Davies, President, Lyra International, says: “Flexible work arrangements are not just a perk but a necessity in modern workplaces, as they profoundly impact employee mental health. The evolution of work arrangements demands a nuanced understanding of psychological needs.
“True mental health support isn't about mandating locations, but creating ecosystems where autonomy and structure coexist. Hybrid and remote models thrive when organisations pair flexibility with robust digital infrastructure, intentional social connection and training for boundary management.
“By aligning work patterns – onsite, hybrid, or fully remote – with individual preferences and psychological needs, organisations can foster autonomy, reduce stress and enhance resilience. The key lies in recognising that mental health challenges vary across these models; tailored support systems empower employees to thrive both personally and professionally, creating a healthier, more productive workforce.”

Flexible work and inclusivity
While much of the debate around flexible working has clear pros and cons, its positive effects on inclusivity in the workplace are difficult to argue with.
Parents, other caregivers and people living with disability or chronic illness benefit greatly from working from home and on flexible schedules. Reversing these working arrangements could directly impact these groups, who are traditionally at risk of being forced to reduce working hours or quit their jobs entirely. 10,11 For groups who have been disproportionately affected by workplace inequities that impact their career advancement, the availability of hybrid or fully remote roles may expand the career opportunities available to them.
EB strategies for multinationals
A trend allowing more people to remain in their careers and access better opportunities when they might otherwise have been forced into part-time work or quitting is positive. But it’s vital that benefits are shaped to support people to remain in the workplace, no matter their working pattern. Enhancing EB programmes to include caregiving benefits, women’s health and wellness care, other benefits that meet working families’ needs and educational campaigns promoting inclusivity at work are all vital options for multinationals to consider.
Meeting your people where they are
The flexible working debate brings up both opportunities and challenges for multinationals and their people. While hybrid working patterns clearly remain highly valued by many employees worldwide, it may not prove the best option for every employer or worker for many reasons.
James O’Neil, Senior Client Relationship Manager, MAXIS, says: “You can tailor your EB programmes to meet your employees’ needs, however and wherever they’re working.
“It’s vital to think about where your people work and how this might affect what benefits they value. For example, making sure fitness, dining and entertainment perks are available nationally and not only clustered around city hubs, so everyone can make the most of them.
“Health and wellbeing care delivered via apps could be more convenient for most workers – whether they’re working from home or commuting into a workplace – but they’ll also likely value having in-person care options too.”
Derrick Johnson, Senior Client Relationship Manager, MAXIS, adds: “Flexible working offers significant advantages for employee wellbeing and inclusivity, allowing people to integrate work with personal responsibilities more seamlessly.
“Whether you choose to offer flexible, hybrid or remote working, or you decide to call your people back to the office, it’s worth considering how your EB programme responds to employee needs that arise because of their working location or pattern.
“You can use your EB programme to support the unique needs of both remote and onsite workforces – whether that’s addressing mental or physical health.
“By understanding that working patterns have a strong impact on workers’ benefits needs, you have the opportunity to offer comprehensive EB programmes that meet your people where they are.”
[1] Mischke, J. and Luby, R., et al. (July 13, 2023) McKinsey Global Institute. Empty spaces and hybrid places https://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/our-research/empty-spaces-and-hybrid-places
(Sourced: April 2025)
[2] Anon. Aon. (2025) Employee sentiment study https://www.aon.com/en/insights/reports/employee-sentiment-study (Sourced: April 2025)
[3] MAXIS GBN (2024) How do industry, culture, and gender affect employee health? Insights from MAXIS claims data https://maxis-gbn.com/knowledge-centre/whitepapers/how-do-industry-culture-and-gender-affect-employee-health-insights-from/ (Sourced: April 2025)
[4] Anon. World Health Organization (April 4, 2002) Physical inactivity: A leading cause of disease and disability, warns WHO https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2002-physical-inactivity-a-leading-cause-of-disease-and-disability-warns-who (Sourced: April 2025)
[5] Franklin, N. Workplace Insight (March 10, 2023) Hybrid workers exercise more, sleep longer, and eat better https://workplaceinsight.net/hybrid-workers-exercise-more-sleep-longer-and-eat-better (Sourced: April 2025)
[6] Dale, G. HR Magazine (October 14, 2024) Make hybrid work healthy work https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/features/make-hybrid-work-healthy-work
(Sourced: April 2025)
[7] Anon. Tulane University (December 8, 2020) Effects of social isolation on mental health. https://publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/effects-of-social-isolation-on-mental-health (Sourced: April 2025)
[8] Coe, E. and Doy, A., et al. McKinsey & Company (April 28, 2023) Gen Z mental health: The impact of tech and social media https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/gen-z-mental-health-the-impact-of-tech-and-social-media (Sourced: April 2025)
[9] Khan, M. and Consterdine, P. Mercer (2023) Smart personalization: Providing employee benefits for every generation. https://www.mercer.com/insights/total-rewards/employee-wellbeing/smart-personalization-providing-employee-benefits-for-every-generation (Sourced: April 2025)
[10] Jackson, I. People Management (March 13, 2025) Return to office mandates disadvantage disabled workers, research finds https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1909987/return-office-mandates-disadvantage-disabled-workers-research-finds (Sourced: April 2025)
[11] Webber, A. Personnel Today (May 16, 2022) Lack of flexibility pushes half of women to consider leaving job https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/women-flexibility-at-work-linkedin-research/ (Sourced: April 2025)
This document has been prepared by MAXIS GBN S.A.S and is for informational purposes only – it does not constitute advice. MAXIS GBN S.A.S has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this document has been obtained from reliable sources but cannot guarantee accuracy or completeness. The information contained in this document may be subject to change at any time without notice. Any reliance you place on this information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
The MAXIS Global Benefits Network (“Network”) is a network of locally licensed MAXIS member insurance companies (“Members”) founded by AXA France Vie, Paris, France (“AXA”) and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York, NY (“MLIC”). MAXIS GBN S.A.S, a Private Limited Company with a share capital of €4,650,000, registered with ORIAS under number 16000513, and with its registered office at 313, Terrasses de l’Arche – 92727 Nanterre Cedex, France, is an insurance and reinsurance intermediary that promotes the Network. MAXIS GBN S.A.S is jointly owned by affiliates of AXA and MLIC and does not issue policies or provide insurance; such activities are carried out by the Members. MAXIS GBN S.A.S operates in the UK through its UK establishment with its registered address at 1st Floor, The Monument Building, 11 Monument Street, London EC3R 8AF, Establishment Number BR018216 and in other European countries on a services basis. MAXIS GBN S.A.S operates in the U.S. through MAXIS Insurance Brokerage Services, Inc., with its registered office located in New York, USA, a New York licensed insurance broker. MLIC is the only Member licensed to transact insurance business in New York. The other Members are not licensed or authorised to do business in New York and the policies and contracts they issue have not been approved by the New York Superintendent of Financial Services, are not protected by the New York state guaranty fund, and are not subject to all of the laws of New York. MAR01586/0425
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