Competitive salaries and solid benefits like 401(k) matches matter, but they're no longer enough on their own. In a piece for Staffing Industry Analysts, PTO Exchange CEO Rob Whalen makes the case that workplace culture has become just as critical a differentiator for recruiters trying to attract and retain top talent.

The numbers reveal a real gap: only 20% of employees strongly agree they feel connected to their company's culture, according to Gallup, and employee engagement is at its lowest point in a decade. Whalen points to burnout as a major driver, over half of employees report experiencing it in the past year, often fueled by an entrenched culture of overwork. Even when employees are technically on vacation, a majority still check email or respond to work messages, undercutting the very purpose of time off.

His recommendation for recruiters and HR teams is to treat culture as a measurable strategic priority, not an afterthought, asking whether specific programs and benefits actually move the needle on attracting, retaining, and engaging talent. Flexible benefits like convertible PTO play a role here too, letting employees redirect unused time toward priorities like retirement, student loans, or charitable giving, rather than reinforcing a culture where time off just goes unused.

Read the full piece here: A Healthy Workplace Culture Is Vital for Attracting Top Talent

Learn more today on how PTO Exchange can help your employees access their unused vacation safely and responsibly.