Nearly one-third of organizations increased their overall benefits in the last 12 months signaling the need to remain competitive in today’s recruiting environment, according to the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM’s) 2017 Employee Benefits survey report released June 19.

“Recruiting difficulty has continued to increase over the last five years, and competition for talent is high,” said Shonna Waters, vice president of research for SHRM. “Most companies are now using benefits as a strategic tool for recruiting and retaining talent in this competitive environment.”

Offering health care to employee spouses and domestic partners is one way that employers are strategically using health care benefits in recruiting.

Additionally, about one-third of companies (34%) are offering health care coverage to part-time employees. That compares to 27% in 2014. About three of every five organizations (59%) have a general wellness program for employees.

The increase in certain flexible work arrangements also indicates that it is an important factor with recruitment and retention. Slightly more than three out of five organizations (62%) allowed some type of telecommuting, and 57% offered flextime, allowing employees to choose their work hours within limits established by the employer.

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Source: Society for Human Resource Management.