It’s time everyone faces fact – Millennials have infiltrated workplaces and are influencing office trends – and we’re not going anywhere! For all the various complaints we’ve received about entitlement and laziness, we refuse to be brought down by our peers. We’re demanding change and the changes that we want will directly impact how you will attract and retain us for your business.

According to Inmar’s 2014 Shopper Behavior Study, Millennials are using their smartphone technology to do more than research products; they are researching about their health.

• 71% research about treatment side effects
• 70% research a medical condition which they’ve been diagnosed
• 67% diagnose their symptoms
• 59% compare treatment options

What this information shows is the personal responsibility Millennials take when it comes to health. We aren’t willing to take a back seat with wellness. Understanding what types of benefits will satisfy these needs will be in the best interest of your company to retain them.

Brady Cass, VP of Sales for Regence BlueShield, has a few suggestions on the topic. “…health savings accounts and private exchange solutions may be the perfect fit for twenty-somethings because they prefer more self-directed decisions about benefits and care, and reward employees with greater flexibility and more choices.”

Take into consideration the general description you see about Millennials (we currently hold 25% of the working market but are projected to hold almost double that by 2020): highly educated, most ethnically diverse, extremely tech savvy. We want to be leaders and like having flexibility and choice.

Brady continues, “Given that Millennials tend to be more transient in the workforce, innovative benefit packages are equally important to earn extra marks with younger workers and aid in retention. This requires thinking beyond health insurance and considering value-added “extras” like wellness programs, telemedicine and voluntary benefit plans.”

This type of plan is something to look for (if you haven’t already considered it) when talking to your broker/carrier. But as the transition continues between the Babyboomers retiring and the Millennials dominating the workforce, finding ways to satisfy all demographics is most likely ideal. Regence and Pinpoint Research conducted a study among a variety of C-suite executives and created a thought-provoking white paper: Developing A Strategic Benefits Approach That Matches The Dynamic Needs Of Every Employer. This is a great place to start for further information when it comes to the needs/wants of all the generations that make up your office.

Technology continues to offer ease, simplicity and quick results – something we Millennials can’t live without. Incorporating these features into your benefit packages will entice us to consider your company for employment and provide essential benefits for employees. A win win for all!

By Kendal Sasso, Field Marketing Analyst, Regence BlueShield, Kendal.sasso@regence.com