At this point, employee benefits can and should be reviewed. There are many questions to consider, such as:

• How well did their existing package respond during the pandemic?
• Were their insurers flexible with a pragmatic view?

Money will remain tight for many operators. Insurers may push for rate increases to cover losses and increased expense costs. Where COVID is now excluded, how will this gap in cover be bridged? Are employers’ current packages of employee benefits overly generous? Some employers may suggest employee contributions to maintain benefits, while others may opt for lower wages or a wage freeze but a better package of benefits.