Last week, the launch event for the 2026 Employee Benefits in the ESG Era White Paper, co-produced by RGF Professional Recruitment China and OHLA, was successfully held at the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC) Shanghai office. The event attracted a distinguished group of HR executives and Sustainability leads from both multinational corporations and leading local enterprises.
The session was hosted by the EUCCC, with opening remarks delivered by Olivier Stauff, Co-founder of OHLA.
Redefining Benefits: From Cost to Resilience
Rita Cui, Executive President of RGF China, provided an in-depth interpretation of the white paper’s core findings. She noted that against the dual backdrop of the current economic cycle and ESG compliance, corporate benefits are shifting from a "cost item" to a "driver of resilience."
"How to achieve a win-win for employee well-being and corporate sustainability through precise design is a critical question every HR decision-maker must answer," Rita emphasized.
Based on structured interview data from global and industry-leading companies, the report highlights four major trends:
· Strategic Optimization over Cuts: Only 12% of companies have directly cut benefits since 2020. Most firms are opting for non-cash incentives, flexible platforms, and private-label internal purchasing programs as alternatives.
· Data-Driven Precision: 38% of surveyed companies have established annual compensation and benefits research mechanisms to capture authentic employee needs. Significant strategy differences were observed across various age groups and corporate structures.
· Tangible ESG Integration: ESG is evolving from a reporting requirement into a daily experience for employees. Internal purchasing programs have become a "zero-cost" lever to boost both environmental responsibility and employee satisfaction.
· The AI Acceleration: AI application in benefits management and training has entered an acceleration phase, with 76% of respondents agreeing that AI significantly improves operational efficiency.
Expert Insights and Case Studies
The event featured a panel of HR leaders from various industries who shared their practical experiences in implementing innovative benefits. Guest speakers included: Queen He, HRVP Greater China at Lacoste; Ann Wang, HR Manager at Liebherr China; Celine Huang, Culture Inclusion Experience Lead Greater China at Sanofi.
Closing Remarks: The Essence of Innovation
To conclude the event, Karen He, Co-founder of OHLA, delivered the closing speech. She stressed that the essence of benefits innovation is not about spending more, but about understanding employees better.
By utilizing annual surveys, internal purchasing data, and "the voice of the employee" to capture real needs, companies can direct limited resources toward high-perception areas. By skillfully bridging these with ESG goals, enterprises can build competitive, sustainable compensation systems even in an environment focused on cost reduction and efficiency.
About OHLA
OHLA is a leading provider of sustainable workplace benefit solutions in China. Through a circular economy model, OHLA connects global retailers with industry leaders, helping enterprises achieve ESG goals via innovative internal purchasing services. This model facilitates a multi-win scenario of cost optimization, enhanced employee satisfaction, and environmental stewardship.
For inquiries regarding OHLA's internal purchasing business and sustainable corporate benefit solutions, please contact your RGF consultant. Together, we will explore low-cost, high-impact paths for employee benefit innovation.
