Feeling perky – the top benefits in today’s workplaces
25 Oct 2022
As the cost of living crisis seems to be growing every day, it’s no surprise that overtime has risen to the top of the table of most popular perks of being in work.
New figures show that paid overtime is now the most sought-after benefit in a job as people try to make their budgets stretch.
It is now seen as more attractive than a shorter working week, remote and hybrid working as the best workplace benefit.
HR service company Remote said its latest research showed that 79% of UK employees rated overtime as their number one perk, just two per cent above flexible working and a good company-funded retirement package.
Some 65% thought finishing early on a Friday was still the top perk, with 64% listing a four-day week as the most preferred option.
Despite looming recession, UK unemployment levels are at historic lows, and this means meeting candidate and employee expectations takes on a new importance.
Remote’s UK results were based on the opinions of 2,000 employees.
The full table was:
- Overtime pay 79%
- Flexible work hours 77%
- Company-sponsored retirement plan or pension 75%
- Early finish on Fridays 65%
- 4-day working week 64%
- Miscarriage leave 62%
- Paid self-care days 61%
- Online training and coaching programs 61%
- Private health insurance 58%
- Remote work from anywhere policy 58%
As we remain in the middle of a recruitment crisis, job candidates and those already in work are in a strong position to negotiate for the benefits they would like. That doesn’t mean you can expect your employer to write a blank cheque, but it is clear that employers who want to retain their best staff need to give them an overall package which incentivises loyalty.
These perks are, of course, not set in stone. They can change with circumstances and with the economic environment. Before the pandemic many people would have put flexible working at the top of their hit list, but as we have moved to a remote and hybrid working landscape, this wish has increasingly become addressed.
So, if you haven’t talked to your managers about what extra benefits they are providing in some time, now might be the time to do so. And it’s worth also talking to your colleagues to see if you all share the same thoughts – it’s likely to have a lot more impact if you do.
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