How to Support Employee Belonging through Flexible Health Benefits & Education

As a savvy executive, HR manager, or employee, chances are, you may already know about Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) as a resource to promote workplace health. But, here's a reminder that FSAs can also be used to champion employee belonging and engagement.

Thanks to their namesake flexibility, these special accounts cover a vast array of health-related costs that might be inaccessible otherwise. From preventative care and testing to medical supplies and over the counter medications to fertility treatments and gender-affirming care, FSAs are a health benefits powerhouse. And when paired with inclusive benefits education from HR or management, this tool can empower employees' individual health journeys. Providing education on the full possibilities of FSAs helps ensure that talent has resources for their physical and mental well-being, helping them feel supported to show up as their healthy, true selves.

Implementing Strategically

Supporting a diverse workforce requires prioritizing belonging and on a practical level that means creating a culture that normalizes and embraces a variety of health needs.?Organizational leadership can use outreach materials and trainings about FSAs to power up these belonging efforts. Changing your FSA outreach strategy from passive benefits provision to proactively sharing diverse examples of eligible account uses, can power-up internal belonging efforts.

Backlash to DEIB efforts has unfortunately grown in recent years (see Texas's recent ban of DEI programs at universities), further underscoring the importance of strategically deploying FSA programs. If you're in a state where DEIB, gender-affirming care, or reproductive rights are contested, you may want to check in with a legal team to make sure your educational efforts are in compliance with the latest laws. That said, remaining committed to sharing information about benefits that can bolster employee health and belonging is even more vital in these environments.

Building Belonging by Building Knowledge

While regaining support for DEIB at the state level may take time, protecting on an organizational scale is one way to affirm all your employees and retain talent. For example, Indeed recently shared research that the majority of women they surveyed did not believe they had adequate workplace accommodations or benefits for women's health issues beyond maternity leave, including IVF, menopause, and gender affirmation. These are deeply personal, important health issues and employees may choose to go elsewhere if the resources they need are not available through workplace benefits.

Conversely, showing your support for a diverse workplace can help you attract great talent. Gen Z is entering the workplace in full-force and a positive, inclusive company culture is often a top desire for this generation. 28% of Gen Zers identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Including gender affirming care and same-spouse benefits in your education about FSAs is one way to show support for your team members of all ages.

Emphasizing the Human Side of HR

What's more, outreach about FSAs' lesser-known benefits can save lives. For example, over 51,000 people in the US died from colorectal cancer in 2021 and early detection is key to improving likelihood of recovery. FSAs can fund early cancer screenings that insurance may not fully reimburse. Similarly, these accounts also fund mental health services, gender affirming care, and substance abuse recovery programs. These are all life-saving services. When employees know that they can access resources for expensive or stigmatized treatments easily and discreetly with an FSA, they may be more likely to do so.

When running a successful organization, it can be easy to get so caught up in implementation and compliance that the human element of people management gets lost in the shuffle. Approaching FSA education thoughtfully is one way to refocus on one of the most important elements of your organization--the folks who make it all happen.

We want to give a special shout-out to the panelists and organizations represented at SXSW 2024's "LGBTQIA+ Health Justice: Culturally Affirming Care," for calling attention to the need for flexible, affirming workplace medical resources. Thank you, Equality Texas , Texas Health Action , Kind Clinic , and House of Lepore!