Flexible working seen as top workplace benefit by workers

A survey of 1,000 UK workers by corporate gift suppliers Adler claims to identify the top benefits workers want to see offered as standard by their employer. Flexible working topped the list with half of respondents (48 percent) saying it should be offered as standard by UK companies.

The full list of the top five desired workplace benefits is:

  1. Flexible working (48 percent)
  2. Pension schemes (44 percent)
  3. Performance bonuses (34 percent)
  4. Matching pension contributions (34 percent)
  5. Free food and drink (29 percent)

Two-thirds (66 percent) of survey respondents stated that the benefits offered to them were either as important or more important than their basic salary. Half (49 percent) go as far as to say they’d actually completely reconsider applying for a job based on the company perks on offer. Over one in ten (14 percent) say they’d actually take an increase in benefits over a pay rise.

Some of the most notable differences exist between men and women[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””][/perfectpullquote]

The data also claims to highlight the importance of tailoring benefits packages to individual employees, as different groups prefer different things. Some of the most notable differences exist between men and women.

Men express a preference for financial-based perks, with 48 percent saying pension schemes should be offered as standard, and 36 percent saying employers should match workers’ contributions. In contrast, just 42 percent of women see a pensions scheme as something that should be given as standard and only 31 percent say employers should match pension contributions.

It’s also important for employers to recognise the long service of committed workers. Almost one-third of Brits believe that perks such as flexible working should be increased with length of service. 28 percent also said the same about pension schemes and 27 percent about performance bonuses.

___________________________________