More than a third (34%) of UK workers have admitted being swayed to take a job because of an employee benefit or company policy.
Research by Canada Life found that flexible or hybrid working is the most popular perk, used by two in five (41%) of those surveyed, followed by an annual leave allowance policy and learning allowances, utilised by more than one in three (36%) and one in five (21%) respectively.
The survey of around 2,000 UK adults discovered that, despite benefits clearly being prioritised by workers, almost half (49%) of those who have changed roles within the past five years had not checked employer review sites before accepting their current job.
Among the 44% who did, more than one in five (22%) looked for information on employee benefits. However, more frequent checks were undertaken to find out about salaries and the employer’s reputation, carried out by 42% and 34% respectively. Candidates also researched companies’ work-life balance and culture, cited by 30% and 26% respectively.
The study also revealed that communication had been a problem, with one in five (20%) not receiving any information about their organisation’s benefits provisions. A similar number (19%) researched this themselves via the employer’s website.
Dan Crook, protection sales director at Canada Life, said: “Employees are clearly now viewing benefits packages as a crucial deciding factor when thinking about joining a company, staying in a role, or leaving.
“Having competitive benefits packages means nothing if the employer does little to promote them to the employee – prospective or otherwise. It should be a given that new starters receive information on what is available and how to access the various benefits, but ongoing communications are also needed to ensure uptake. Reminding an employee of what is on offer, might just make the difference between someone leaving a role, or staying.
“When communicated effectively, group life, group income protection and group critical illness cover, and the associated support services, are integral elements to any benefits offering.”
