Public and even private sector employers are well known for offering a wide range of fringe benefits to employees, in part to help recruit and retain talented staff. Offerings such as health, dental and vision coverage, retirement plans and life insurance contributions, gym memberships and mental health care, and student loan repayment assistance have become prevalent if not standard.

The list has continued to expand in recent years, with many companies more recently offering benefits like fertility and family planning support, financial wellness programs, and pet insurance. While legal assistance has begun to be included among this list, it is currently only offered by about 10% of US companies, according to SHRM (note, pet insurance stands at almost 20%). And even in those cases, the benefit is likely not immigration specific. Bundle services such as Rocket Lawyer or LawAssure may be convenient for companies but they generally lack the specialized immigration expertise needed in this complex time.

With immigration a leading political issue and the media flooded with accounts of immigration enforcement, more companies should consider offering immigration legal support to noncitizen employees. Especially in those sectors increasingly dependent on foreign talent and/or in creative industries, given that anxiety is increasingly being recognized as a creativity killer.

And while the timing may not seem ideal with economic uncertainty abound, experience shows that it may make absolute sense to make such investments now. Employer surveys show the majority planning to enhance or add fringe benefits (especially around flexibility and wellbeing) even amidst recession concerns. This is underpinned by the understanding that expanding fringe benefits can be a cost-effective alternative to wage increases.

If you want to find out more about how outside counsel can provide assistance to employers, see our service page on legal counsel for employers, or contact Gray Whale Law today at [email protected], 347.857.7669 or by booking a consultation here.