What I can't wait to get rid of: Zoom meetings make me want to vomit. Or say very bad words. Or jump off a tall building. Or vomit a stream of bad words while jumping off a tall building.

Melissa Burkhart, president, Futuro Sólido USA

Just say no

I believe that we need to continue to adopt the philosophy that if you are sick (or have a fever), then you stay home! As business professionals, we were taught that it is a badge of honor to come to work and push through sickness or illness. The reality is that when you are feverish, that is your body's way of telling you that you need to slow down, rest and recover. Take that time off to recover (which means putting away our devices and shutting your computer!) I want to encourage employers to show that we care about the well-being of our workforce so that people are able to be away and recover guilt-free.

Ben Conner, president and CEO, Conner Insurance

Expanded horizons

COVID-19 gave businesses the time to evaluate how they operate, and most found that they were able to be productive outside of the traditional in-office setting. I would keep the flexible aspect of work. This has allowed us to make hires we otherwise wouldn't have, and in the future, will allow our team to have more control over where they would prefer to work. One thing I personally can't wait to be rid of is the inability to travel or have in-person events. While having the flexibility and ability to work remotely is an advantage, it will be great to have the option to see the team and other colleagues in some sort of cadence once again.

Rachel Lyubovitzky, CEO and chairwoman, EverythingBenefits

Culture of engagement

The potential positive takeaways as we have navigated this crisis include increased telemedicine usage and access to additional behavioral health services, along with ongoing reassurance about the value of benefits plans for employer-sponsored health plans. COVID-19 has brought a few key benefits trends to the forefront that already existed and ideally will continue, including no-cost telemedicine, increased access to mental health coverage, and the need for a more robust employee assistance program.

Pandemic-related changes I can't wait to get rid of include the isolation, loneliness, lack of true community and lack of engagement brought on by remote working. Collaboration is especially important to cultivate, and should teams continue to work virtually, as many have over the past many months, the sense of team spirit is felt most strongly when victories can be shared. Employees are more likely to continue working for a business longer when they have strong ties with the people they work with and feel that they're a part of something important. I am hopeful that employers embrace a culture of engagement going forward.

Kevin Davis, VP, senior benefits consultant, Univest Insurance, LLC

More jabs, fewer masks

The one thing that I would like to stick around is more extensive research into a vaccine that will get rid of COVID-19 altogether. What I would like to get rid of is wearing a mask out in the community.

Kenya Ballard, insurance broker, Brighton Insurance Services

Lessons learned

Leading up to the pandemic, the biggest "asks" from employees in the surveys we've conducted were regarding flexibility for work hours and telecommuting. In the DC region, we have plenty of issues with both transportation and childcare. I hope that businesses do not forget the flexibility they found in the midst of the challenges of the pandemic. Employers should take a close look at how much money was saved in avoiding things like late daycare pick-ups, which are inevitable with the traffic many face. The genie is now out of the bottle, so I would also encourage employers to carefully approach how they stuff it back in, should they choose to do so. I certainly hope that the one thing that goes away is the flu, which we have done a good job at thus far.

Derek Winn, consultant, The Business Benefits Group

Just be nice

Here's a list of things I'd like to see stick around: • More time with family • Common courtesy for those around us • Zoom meetings, when appropriate • Utilization of lower benefits cost because of lower hospital claims Things I'd like to see go: • Fewer Zoom meetings—more personal interactions • Masks • Stretch pants

Michael Hart, employee benefits specialist, Dillingham Benefits

Great power, great responsibility

From a biological perspective, an in-person meeting causes changes to the brain, which trigger dopamine or other hormones that can have a positive effect on the body and emotions. A virtual meeting doesn't promote those biological responses in the same way. So I'm ready for fewer Zoom meetings and more face-to-face chats.

I would like to see working from home stick around for those who are responsible and dedicated enough. It won't work for everyone, but for those who have a good work ethic, it is a huge bonus. Less cost of rental property, less stress for the EE to spend driving back and forth, less cost of business attire for employees who may not be in the public eye. Now on the other side, it would be worthwhile to have some office space for those who need to work in an office atmosphere, maybe a shared conference room.

D'Vorah Mariscal, sales executive/general agencies liaison, Covered California

More connection

I hope that we continue to utilize technology to connect on a global basis. No more needing to plan trips to see someone you haven't been able to connect with because of distance and time challenges.

On the other hand, I wish the isolation mentality would go away. Although virtual can bring us closer together, it also pulls us further from the human touch. Simply, humans desire to be around other humans physically.

Jack Holder, president, Enhanced Benefits Insurance Solutions

Mentally aware

One thing I hope sticks around is mental health awareness. Although the topic began to receive better awareness prior to the pandemic, I think it further exposed poor plan mechanics at the carrier level, especially in regards to access points. It also forced employers to learn what resources they do and/or could have for their employees.

Nick Hellmuth, VP, Compain Anderson Azar

New priorities

The pandemic has made us all realize how quickly things can change. We've looked at prioritizing our health, building stronger bonds, creating new family traditions and learning new skills. Disrupted routines have created more flexibility.

However, I've also seen how this virus has isolated the younger generation and impacted them both emotionally and psychologically. Isolation from friends and school has certainly not helped and the media has only aggravated the situation.

Rina Tikia, President/CEO, Tikia Consulting Group

Just the facts

I am hopeful that virtual access remains a high priority. Not just to make care more accessible, but to also make engaging and educating employees more accessible and frequent. One thing I hope goes away? Taking facts and science and turning them into opinion and politics.

David Contorno, founder, E Powered Benefits

Increased production value

The pandemic generated a great deal of fear and uncertainty in the lives of almost everyone. We were forced out of collaborative work environments and sent home to figure out a way to remain productive with energetic, often noisy kids running around in the backgrounds of our virtual meetings. The world moved online in an instant.

I hope that virtual events continue to occur, but also that the organizers increase the production value for online attendees. We are all a bit fatigued with the same low-expectation experience that comes with virtual meetings. On the other hand, I have high hopes and look forward to eliminating the fear of meeting face to face. While challenges still exist and protocols are continually improving, meeting another human being in real life is a great experience. We need that interaction. As our great country moves into a more stabilized COVID reality, I look forward to getting back out there and sharing my passion for improving employers' health benefits through hybrid learning events—quality virtual and in-person roundtable discussions. This way, people locally or across the country can safely join in the conversation and meet others who want to learn.

Robson Baker, senior employee benefits consultant, Insgroup, Inc.

Zoom, zoom!

Although Zoom etiquette is still a work in progress, I actually have enjoyed getting to use Zoom during the pandemic, and that is my pick for sticking around (which I think it will). Zoom has made my meetings very efficient, and if I need to meet with a person, it is most likely that I have already spoken to them via Zoom and that person has been qualified. There are many funnies that have happened with it, though. One of my favorites is "not muting your mic is the new 'reply all.'" Also, there's awkward and then there's "the Zoom meeting is over and you and one other person can't figure out how to leave the meeting" awkward.

The part I can't wait to get rid of is the never-ending "COVID-19 updates" from insurance, mortgage, pharmacy, the president, the vice president, CDC and even the Pope. Enough!

Al Schiebel, president, Schiebel & Associates, LLC

One word: gratitude

"One word that will change your life" is a book written by Jon Gordon and it has transformed our agency and many of the families that we employ. Each year, our leadership team selects one word for our agency to focus on for the entire year. This word will give clarity to the organizational focus over the next 12 months, in hopes that it will make a positive impact on our employees, clients or both. In years past, we have selected: passion, refresh, growth and delight. Our reflection on 2020 helped us quickly and easily identify our word for 2021, gratitude.

2020 brought a host of "firsts." No handshakes, hugs or face to face interaction. We were separated, isolated and faced with fear, doubt and uncertainty. Our solitude uncovered sincere gratitude for family, friends, spirituality, neighbors, teachers and health. Our organization identified that our priority was our people and looking through the lens of gratitude made it easy to prioritize their needs and put their families first. We shifted to being a component of their security and well-being.

When our firm put the priorities of our people first, everything else fell into place. Our clients were delighted and our firm persevered. It was refreshing to come together and see more of our potential unleashed within the industry. My hope is that our gratitude for one another doesn't fade, and that our firm and other businesses don't need another crisis in order to remember where all of our priorities should truly lie. I am not sure that much else matters. I—we—are so grateful!

Billy Potter, principal, Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Read more: 

• How to beat Zoom burnout, compassion fatigue
• 3 employee benefits trends for 2021's 'next normal'
• Most employers expect return to normal by second or third quarter