Salary remains an essential argument in the employer selection process. However, companies that offer similar prices try to compete for specialists also with non-wage benefits. Thus, advantages and flexibility play an increasingly important role in the recruitment and retention process.

When comparing several similar offerings, benefits may be a factor in favor of one of them. Especially when a particular employer guarantees an advantage that is very interesting and valuable from the candidate’s perspective.

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It’s worth noting that a valuable feature doesn’t have to be expensive for the company. Professionals are increasingly appreciating the benefits of flexibility, including the wide availability of a home office, the ability to adjust working hours to your preference or work full time in fewer days.

Traditionally, employee benefit packages include private medical care, sports cards, life insurance, etc. However, these types of benefits are now standard in the market and candidates are not viewed as exceptional. On the other hand, the attention of professionals is drawn to the situation when these advantages do not appear in the employer’s offer. This is the time when such an offer usually falls off the table.

According to the study discussed in “Hays Salary Report 2022,” non-wage benefits in the workplace get 69 percent. employees, and only 62 percent. Some of them are satisfied with the benefits package. The reason is the discrepancy between what is offered by employers and what employees actually expect.

Amazingly, even though it’s been nearly two years since the pandemic, cyclical restrictions, teleworking, and hybrids, some organizations have yet to change the original composition of the benefit package. Benefits that did not have a reason to exist during the pandemic (such as team building events or sports cards) have been suspended, but often not replaced by other benefits, more suited to current needs. According to a Hays study, co-financing of home office equipment offers 15 percent. Companies, billing support for remote work only 7 per cent. organisation.

Expectations vs. reality

The Hays study found that most companies offer their employees a basic healthcare package (68%), a sports card (66%), life insurance (55%) and a flexible business model (50%). In benefit packages, employers also include a telephone and a business computer that can be used for private purposes, joint education financing, or a company car. At the same time, the advantages of this type are often reserved for a specific group of company employees, for example, for administrative employees or people with longer work experience in the organization.

When asked to indicate their top three benefits, employees most often choose an extended Medicare package, flexible work (34% each) as well as a company car and additional vacation days (25% each). This reflects market trends. Employees expect greater flexibility in the workplace and employer support in achieving work-life balance. On the other hand, benefits in the form of extended medical care or a company car greatly affect the quality of life.

The future is creative benefits

In recent years – especially in industries with the most competition in the fight for employees – new and innovative advantages have begun to emerge. Until recently, information about in-office massage services, apartment cleaning or a private concierge (such as Ask Henry), and staff support in taking care of everyday matters, has come as a surprise.

The future of non-wage benefits is primarily greater flexibility, understood as greater autonomy in deciding when and where to perform professional duties, as well as additional free time. In addition, there is the issue of concern for the well-being of employees, which is expressed, among other things, in as part of increasing the value of medical packages, providing psychological support programs or enabling employees to choose the most important services for them. According to a Hays study, the so-called cafeteria benefits were offered at a 29 percent increase. Comp.

Compiled on the basis of a press release.