The HR benefits strategies that help attract and retain employees

In today's competitive job market, finding the right benefits package is more than a checkbox for employers—it’s a strategic imperative and essential for long-term sustainability. For companies looking to attract and retain top talent, improve employee satisfaction and demonstrate their commitment to their workforce's well-being, robust health and wellness benefits foster a culture of care, productivity and demonstrate a greater commitment to employee well-being.

A well-designed health and wellness benefits package can have far-reaching impacts on an organization, from improved employee satisfaction to reduced healthcare costs and absenteeism. They’ve also become increasingly attractive given rising healthcare costs, with employees looking to their employers for solutions to help them stay healthy and manage expenses.

Meanwhile, employers continue to seek innovative ways to manage these expenses while providing valuable benefits to their employees.

Why health and wellness benefits are more essential than ever

Healthcare costs are a top concern for employers. Our new white paper exploring survey results from 156 HR leaders reveals that 75% anticipate rising healthcare costs. 

Rising healthcare costs combined with the growing prevalence of chronic conditions make preventive and wellness programs more valuable than ever. Preventive care and early intervention can go a long way in avoiding more serious (and costly) health issues down the road. These benefits send a clear message: we’re invested in your health and well-being.

And, as workforces become increasingly hybrid and remote, HR leaders face the challenge of delivering benefits that are accessible, convenient and cost-effective. A thoughtful benefits strategy can help employers manage costs, improve outcomes and build a healthier, more engaged workforce.

By prioritizing health and wellness, you demonstrate to your workforce you care about their holistic well-being—a powerful way to boost morale, productivity and loyalty.

So what should you include in your health and wellness benefits package? 

Four must-haves in your benefits and wellness package

1. Biometric screenings: The foundation of preventive care

Biometric screenings have emerged as a vital tool in employee wellness initiatives, with 44% of employers offering them in 2025. They’re essential in helping employees recognize the importance of taking charge of their own health.

 Biometric screenings:

• Are a first step in helping employees understand their health status and risk factors
• Provide actionable insights into blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and body mass index
• Enable early intervention to prevent chronic conditions

For employers, offering biometric screenings demonstrates a commitment to employee health and can lead to reduced healthcare costs in the long run by promoting preventive care and early intervention. Labcorp offers screenings that can be conducted with flexible delivery options for diverse workforces:

No matter the screening location, your employees can access results, manage appointments, order at-home kits and access all aspects of their wellness program through WellConnect Plus. This comprehensive approach to biometric screenings empowers employees to take proactive control of their health.

2. Health coaching: Customized support for lasting change

While biometric screenings provide your employees a snapshot of their health, health coaching offers ongoing, personalized support to help them make meaningful lifestyle changes. Health coaching has become an essential component of employee wellness programs, offering preventive, proactive care in a convenient and personalized manner. 

48% of employers offer health and lifestyle coaching and 80% of insurance companies plan to add it by 2026, recognizing its potential to support employees in making behavioral changes before health conditions progress. Coaching provides one-on-one guidance to help employees make sustainable changes—whether losing weight, getting more exercise, managing chronic conditions, improving nutrition, reducing stress or improving their overall well-being. 

Your employees can work with certified health professionals to set customized, achievable goals, establish strategies for success, develop actionable plans, connect with other corporate wellness resources and overcome barriers to better health. Even if it’s simply adopting healthier habits, health coaches provide the guidance and accountability needed to stay on track.

Labcorp's health coaches hold advanced degrees and certifications in specialty areas such as exercise, nutrition and chronic condition management, allowing them to take a holistic approach to improving employee health. Our health coaching process involves three key stages:

• Discovery
• Visioning
• Results 

During these stages, health coaches work closely with employees to understand their health status, identify their well-being goals and develop strategies for achieving those goals. Ongoing support is provided through various communication channels, including:

• Webinars
• Secure digital messaging
• In-person and virtual seminars
• A new digital health education engagement platform

Health coaching can be particularly beneficial for employees who may not have regular access to a healthcare provider, offering digital and phone-based coaching options that are private and convenient while aligning with hybrid and remote work trends. Employers who offer this benefit can help make sure none of their employees fall through the cracks when it comes to their well-being by helping them stay healthy and make positive changes in their lives.

3. Smarter women’s health benefits for a changing workforce 

Maternal and reproductive health benefits are becoming increasingly essential for attracting and retaining talent, particularly among women, who make up 47% of the U.S. workforce. Offering comprehensive maternal and reproductive benefits demonstrates an employer's commitment to supporting employees throughout varied, significant life stages and family planning decisions—leading to increased employee loyalty, improved work-life balance and better overall health outcomes for employees and their families.

51% of employers surveyed offer maternal and/or reproductive health benefits, with manufacturing, education, government, non-profit, energy/utilities and consumer product industries leading the way. These benefits can include prenatal care, fertility treatments, adoption support, postpartum care and more.

Providing access to resources like Ovia Health by Labcorp, which offers a range of tools and support from preconception and pregnancy to postpartum and beyond, helps employers support employees through critical life stages. Our solution has been a valuable addition to an employer's benefits package, offering you and your employees:

4. Cancer screenings: Preventive care that saves lives and costs 

Cancer rates are on the rise in the United States, making preventive screenings an essential component of any comprehensive wellness program. Offering cancer screenings can significantly improve health outcomes and help lower long-term costs for both employers and employees.

In fact, 52% of employers believe preventive services like biometric screenings and cancer testing are critical cost-control levers. 51% of employers currently offer cancer screenings and 56% prefer on-site delivery. 

Colon cancer in particular is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., but also offers an opportunity for improvement by following testing recommendations. An estimated 60% of colon cancer deaths are preventable if screening guidelines are followed. 

Labcorp's ColoFIT is an at-home test kit that provides a convenient alternative to traditional colonoscopy screenings. Consider:

By offering programs like ColoFIT and other preventive cancer screenings, employers can help increase screening rates among their employees. This helps improve long-term health and reduce long-term costs associated with advanced cancer treatment.

Labcorp: Your partner in employee health and safety

Designing comprehensive health and wellness benefits is critical for employers seeking to attract and retain top talent in today's competitive job market. By incorporating biometric screenings, health coaching, maternal and reproductive benefits and cancer screenings into their benefits packages, employers can demonstrate their investment in employee health and well-being.

Labcorp is committed to supporting employers in this endeavor, offering a range of solutions from screening programs to wellness initiatives. By partnering with Labcorp, employers can create purpose-built solutions addressing today's health and safety challenges while preparing for future needs. 

Whether through on-site screenings, at-home testing kits or personalized health coaching, Labcorp is dedicated to helping companies build healthy and safe populations, supporting every step of their employees' health journeys. Investing in your employees' well-being isn't just the right thing to do—it's a strategic advantage that can pay dividends in terms of recruitment, retention, productivity and long-term cost savings.