Bank of America's student loan benefits foster a loyal workforce

STUDENT LOAN BENEFITS: In the toughest talent market in recent history, what makes employees happy, and what makes employees stay? In Perk Up!, a new podcast from Employee Benefit News, we chat with business leaders and employees about the policies and benefits that help them achieve new levels of success at work — and a little joy, too.

In our first episode of our new season, our team tackles student loan benefits. At 美国银行 , education benefits drive employee loyalty — and help create professional growth for workers as well as their families.?Give it a listen right here.

Listen: Getting schooled

SIDE GIGS: Terence Williams, the engineering manager of the mobile team at Homebase , is also the creator of Moxy Messenger and Quik Card, two apps that help facilitate communication between team members while at work. He was already developing his businesses when he started working at Homebase four years ago, but it was?never a point of contention with management ?— it was the opposite.?

"Homebase was very supportive of my ambitions and the online presence of my individual brand," Williams says. He shares how he juggles his work responsibilities with the help of his employer:

Read: Why Homebase encourages its employees to run small businesses on the side

HEALTHCARE: The COVID-19 pandemic took telehealth mainstream, making virtual?healthcare ?appointments a convenient, safer option in the fight to slow the spread of disease. Three years later, health insurance carrier Blue Shield of California is taking telehealth coverage to the next level.?

In January, the carrier launched its virtual-first health plan, Virtual Blue, which will officially go into use on April 1. Featuring no co-pay or deductible charges, its services include pediatrics and family medicine, along with integrated mental health care, 24/7 urgent care and care in over 20 specialities like cardiology, dermatology, rheumatology and infectious disease. The employer-provided plan comes with physical vitals kits so members can reliably check metrics such as their temperature and blood pressure from home. If a member needs in-person care, they can access Blue Shield's PPO network at typical PPO costs.

Read: Blue Shield's virtual-first health plan comes with $0 out-of-pocket costs