Search Results for: salary

Why smarter scheduling is becoming workers’ favourite benefit

Why smarter scheduling is becoming workers’ favourite benefit

In late 2023, The Conference Board asked more than 1,500 US employees which non?salary benefits matter most. 65 percent put workplace flexibility at the top of the list, above bonuses, paid time off, retirement plans and even healthcare.  In 2025, Gallup found that among over 10,000 US workers, 59 percent rated “greater work–life balance and better personal wellbeing” as a very important reason for taking a new job, more than any other factor for the third year running. (more…)

People are now more interested in job rewards now rather than at some point in the future

People are now more interested in job rewards now rather than at some point in the future

Employees place far greater importance on being respected, fairly compensated and other job rewards now than on their future career prospectsEmployees place far greater importance on being respected, fairly compensated and other job rewards now than on their future career prospects, according to new international research. The Work Remastered 2025 report from United Culture, which surveyed 1,500 employees in the UK, US and Western Europe, found that respect topped the list of workplace priorities, cited by 36 percent of respondents. This rose to 43 percent among US workers and 45 percent among those aged 18 to 24. Job security followed at 31 percent—rising to 40 percent in the UK—while fair pay ranked third at 29 percent. (more…)

Not just cuckoo clocks. Why Switzerland is the world’s most innovative country

Not just cuckoo clocks. Why Switzerland is the world’s most innovative country

Switzerland retains its long-standing position as the world’s most innovative economy, followed closely by the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and SingaporeIn Orson Welles’ famous scene-stealing cameo in The Third Man, his character Harry Lime comes out with that (in)famous speech about Swiss culture. “In Italy for thirty years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance,” he says. “In Switzerland, they had brotherly love, they had five hundred years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.” This does the Swiss a disservice in a number of ways, not least that a major new report claims that Switzerland is maintaining a long tradition as the most innovative country in the world. (more…)

Young people aren’t lazy or disloyal. They just expect different leadership

Young people aren’t lazy or disloyal. They just expect different leadership

As they join the workforce in greater numbers, this new cohort is helping to redefine what work and leadership meanFor decades, the idea of a “good job” was measured with a simple formula: a stable contract and competitive salary. That rule does not seem to hold in the same way for Generation Z, broadly understood as those born between 1995 and 2010. As they join the workforce in greater numbers, this new cohort is helping to redefine what work and leadership mean. Salary still matters, of course, particularly when it comes to gaining independence in a time of high living costs, but many young people no longer see pay as the decisive factor in choosing or staying in a job. Instead, they are attentive to whether companies are genuine in their values, whether their work carries purpose, and whether employers are aware of their social impact. (more…)

Hybrid working is now more about when work is done, rather than where

Hybrid working is now more about when work is done, rather than where

The defining issue in workplace flexibility and hybrid working is now time rather than locationA new report from Owl Labs suggests that the debate over where people work is being replaced by questions about when they work. The firm’s 2025 State of Hybrid Work report argues that the defining issue in workplace flexibility and hybrid working is now time rather than location. The study, based on a survey of 2,000 US workers, claims that almost half of respondents believe they do not have enough flexibility in their working hours. Thirty seven percent said they would turn down a job that did not provide flexible scheduling, an increase compared to last year. Around a quarter said they would find a four day week more attractive than a traditional arrangement, with many indicating they would be willing to take a pay cut in exchange for greater control over their time. On average, workers said they would give up around eight to nine percent of their salary to secure more flexible hours or a reduced working week. (more…)

Return to office policies now more common, but raise people’s expectation of better workplaces

Return to office policies now more common, but raise people’s expectation of better workplaces

The news that Microsoft has introduced a formal hybrid working policy has sparked the usual pointless to and fro on social media about return to office policies, but it would seem for a growing number of firms and their employees, the debate is overThe news that Microsoft has introduced a formal hybrid working policy has sparked the usual pointless to and fro on social media about return to office policies, but it would seem for a growing number of firms and their employees, the debate is over. According to new global research from JLL, 72 percent of employees now view attendance requirements in a positive light, but this shift comes with heightened expectations for workplace quality, flexibility and wellbeing. (more…)

Does your employee benefits package have a marketing problem?

Does your employee benefits package have a marketing problem?

Despite many businesses investing heavily in employee benefits, many of these perks fail to deliver their full potential. Here's what to do about itDespite many businesses investing heavily in employee benefits, many of these perks fail to deliver their full potential. According to the 2025 Drewberry Employee Benefits and Workplace Satisfaction Survey, just 12 percent of UK employees report being truly satisfied with their benefits package. This gap in satisfaction isn’t always about the benefits themselves, but is often a failure of communication. This latest research shows that while benefits may be in place, just 36 percent of employees fully understand what’s on offer. Even fewer regularly engage with these benefits. (more…)

Poorly designed and managed workplaces costing the UK over £70 billion a year, report claims

Poorly designed and managed workplaces costing the UK over £70 billion a year, report claims

A new report suggests that the quality of workplace environments could have a significant impact on the UK’s economic performance.A new report suggests that the quality of workplace environments could have a significant impact on the UK’s economic performance. According to a new report published by facilities management company MITIE, ineffective workspaces may be costing the economy up to £71.4 billion in GDP each year. The study claims to highlight how various physical and environmental workplace factors can affect employee productivity. (more…)

Firms scale back recruitment plans in wake of National Insurance hike

Firms scale back recruitment plans in wake of National Insurance hike

Nearly half of all companies across the UK are scaling back recruitment plans because of the hike in employers’ National Insurance which comes into effect on April 6thNearly half of all companies across the UK are scaling back recruitment plans because of the hike in employers’ National Insurance which comes into effect on April 6th, according to a new poll by Reed. The survey found that 46 per cent of firms said that recruitment decisions would be impacted due to the tax increase, with many reporting that they were already not hiring or postponing recruitment. Reed say the findings demonstrate the negative impact the increase in employer’s NI is having on the labour market, which has already seen vacancies fall for a record period. (more…)

Young men and boys lagging behind female contemporaries in pay and other ways

Young men and boys lagging behind female contemporaries in pay and other ways

Young women are now consistently out-earning their male counterparts for the first time, according to a new report that warns of a growing crisis among young menYoung women are now consistently out-earning their male counterparts for the first time, according to a new report that warns of a growing crisis among young men. The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) think tank has published findings showing that women aged 16 to 24 in both white-collar and blue-collar jobs are earning nearly 10 percent more than men of the same age. The report, titled Lost Boys, highlights how young men are falling behind in education and employment, with growing feelings of isolation and lack of purpose. (more…)

How employee benefits offer value for money

How employee benefits offer value for money

Every pound spent on employee benefits is a pound that could boost your profits. That's why it's vital to ensure your benefits package aligns perfectly with what your employees need and valueIf you want to provide great employee benefits but are constrained by budget, there are some company perks that not only keep your employees happy, but can also provide serious value for money. Whether it’s leveraging tax-efficient Salary Sacrifice schemes or taking a more holistic approach such as flexible working, it’s definitely possible to offer great benefits while boosting your bottom line. (more…)

If you want to get ahead in your career, get in to the office, report argues

If you want to get ahead in your career, get in to the office, report argues

Businesses are increasingly likely to prioritise workers willing to come into the office for pay rises and promotions, according to new researchBusinesses are increasingly likely to prioritise workers willing to come into the office for pay rises and promotions, according to a new poll from Reed Group. A year ago Reed.co.uk, which deals with over 30 million job applications a year, predicted that employers would increasingly mandate days in the office and would prioritise what it called the ‘in-person premium’. (more…)