The pandemic might be far from over, but life, people and businesses have found ways to keep moving forward. Of course, it's not easy, with employers trying to keep costs down while retaining employees to keep the business running. On the other hand, employees have to grapple with the uncertainties of the economy, with many sectors impacted by more than a year of unprecedented lockdown.

To help employees with efficiency and keep them sane, companies need to look at more innovative ways to care for and express appreciation to their employees. With workers feeling burnout from remote work during a pandemic, coupled with stressors such as economic uncertainties, pandemic fears, and the stark realisation that life can be cut short at any moment - the combination is dissolving analysis paralysis for employees who find their work unsatisfying and employers unreasonable.

Retaining staff and attracting top talent will be a priority for many employers in time to come as we slowly inch towards the new normal, and a human touch when it comes to how you treat your current employees might be the smart way to move forward.

It's a tight balancing act to keep costs down. Still, employees are the crucial cogs in your business, and keeping them motivated to work efficiently should be one of the strategies to keep your business running through difficult times. 

In pre-Covid times, perks such as holidays, gym memberships, gadgets, wellness and more might have been considered the norm, but it's crucial to consider how some of these costs might seem less relevant now. Instead, the savings can be transferred to something more important to your employees, such as a flexible working schedule, mental health support, utility bills offset for those working from home, or even food allowance. 

A recent survey by GrabFood for Business found that 76% of 12,000 respondents picked food allowance as the most preferred workplace benefit in Southeast Asia. Seeing that putting food on the table is symbolic of what people are trying to manage now, it's a good time to look into food allowance as a perk and reassurance to your employees.

GrabFood for Business provides solutions for such scenarios. Whether it's delivering individual meals to the office or homes, virtual team lunches in lieu of team-building activities, long term meal programmes or catering options, there are several advantages to consider. 

Firstly, food allowance benefits or meal arrangement can boost employees' satisfaction, motivation and engagement with the company. For essential workers who have to work from the office, providing food delivery will help them manage their time more efficiently, give them one less thing to think about, and most importantly, protect them from heading out unnecessarily.
 
Secondly, onboarding with GrabFood for Business is hassle-free. On the employer's end, they can allocate a budget and then empower their employees to order for themselves. A detailed report can be accessed via the Grab for Business portal and also be sent to the designated email address for processing at the end of the month. The process is streamlined and easy to use while giving your employees autonomy to decide how to utilise their perks.

Ultimately, a willingness to provide relevant staff benefits in the new normal sends a strong message to employees that the company cares and has their needs in mind. A business willing to strive together with its employees will be able to thrive further. 

Grab for Business is a unified digital platform integrated with Grab's core services to improve company and employee productivity and engagement.

GrabFood for Business can help enhance employee benefits and meal occasions:

Visit https://www.grab.com/my/business/food/ for more information.