This is what employees actually consider to be a true “work perk”

If you’ve been in the working world long enough, you’ll have noticed that there is a never-ending cycle of benefits offered by employers. For a time in the early 2010s, many offered free pizza and “office beers” on Fridays, while these days a free gym membership is a common perk offered to employees.

However, distance learning provider, Open Study College, spoke to 2,000 members of the UK workforce to find out first-hand which ‘benefits’ matter most to an employee and, in fact , pizza is not one of them.

One of their interesting findings, however, is that 60% of respondents admitted that job benefits are decisive when it comes to accepting a new position.

The benefit employees want most

Unsurprisingly, the most popular work perk is actually the flexible or hybrid work option. Although some employers are hesitant to implement this measure, a University of Chicago study found that those who work on a hybrid basis are often happier, less prone to burnout, and more energetic thanks to reduced workload. time spent commuting.

Other ideal benefits included a good pension plan, training and development, early arrival on Fridays, extended maternity/paternity leave and discounts on local activities and restaurants.

Conversely, perks they were less interested in included Friday “office beers,” pool tables, office dogs, and office parties.

Additionally, those looking for a job are taking a closer look at the company culture, with 56% of respondents admitting they research the company on social media and research current staff to understand the work culture and the team.

Samantha Rutter-Bryant, CEO of Open Study College, said: “The key is for organizations to choose the right benefits for their employees.

“There is no single model. It’s important for organizations to get accurate feedback from their staff, track engagement surveys, and keep an eye on participation rates to see what’s working.

It seems our relationship with work is constantly evolving and we are now clearly focused on how work can help improve our lives.

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