Top Work Perks to Better Retain, Engage & Motivate Staff

The top work perks wanted by British staff now include more holiday time off, a four-day week and flexible/remote work options, confirmed a new study.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, British workers and their employers have recognised the benefits of extra time off and working remotely. These standout perks have been offered to baby boomers, Gen Z and millennials over the last 18 months, in a bid to better retain, engage and motivate them.

Flexible working hours (41%), home entertainment (40%) and free tea/coffee/snacks (22%) are amongst the current favourite perks across all age groups, according to the study carried out by Office Furniture Online. Additionally, employers must continue to go above and beyond when nurturing their staff; by offering more wellbeing benefits, such as subsidised gym memberships (wanted by 22% of staff), counselling (21%)

Although there’s no telling what future work perks will look like, but a few ideas could go as far as adding office beds into the workspace, free dry-cleaning services, and creche’s for staff members seeking easy and accessible childcare, according to the survey.  

PERKS & EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The study revealed that 65% of working Brit’s want their bosses to invest in its employees as opposed to infrastructure in the form of perks and benefits. The top three career priorities for Briton’s include salary, promotion and perks. But how do exactly do perks differ from benefits and why do employees yearn for them?

Workplace benefits are forms of non-wage compensations, like healthcare, retirement savings contributions and stock options. Perks, on the other hand include the likes of onsite yoga, free breakfasts and an unlimited number of holidays. That said, 10% of people don’t care about job perks or benefits at all. The survey data found that company retreats, socials and volunteering programmes can be seen as extra stress; especially by those who don’t seem to care about building relationships with their work colleagues.

TOP PERKS TO RETAIN STAFF

Whilst 43% of Brit’s are not receiving such perks or benefits at their current jobs and considering the average person will work 188 days of overtime in their professional life, it’s no surprise that employees want their efforts to be reflected through affirmation or salary increase. And employers now must do more to entice and incentivise their staff members, as 60% of Brit’s are more likely to choose a job based on the perks and benefits the company offers; and a further 18% would actually quit their current job in favour of one with better incentives.

It’s the younger generations which are more likely to be influenced by what companies can offer, as Gen Z workers are the most likely generation to leave their current job for one with more incentives (24%); and in-turn, they are also more likely to receive such perks and benefits than their elder colleagues.

In fact, a recent study revealed that the company benefits schemes and incentives are irrelevant for the majority of younger Generation Z employees, who seek more wellbeing-related life-style benefits. Click here to read more.