Mike Blake

Less than half (44%) of employees are happy with the benefits they receive, a drop from 53% last year, according to research by Willis PMI Group.

The survey, which polled 1,197 UK-based full- or part-time employees aged between 18 and 64 on their perceptions of benefits and wellbeing schemes, also showed that health and wellbeing provision was lowest in the Midlands, with 30% of respondents receiving these rewards.

The research also found:

  • 55% of London-based employees and 52% of Scotland-based employees were reasonably satisfied with the benefits being offered to them.
  • 37% said their employers currently made provisions to look after their health and wellbeing, but this varies by region. Nearly half (48%) of Scottish respondents and 44% of London respondents said their employers look after their health and wellbeing.
  • 36% of respondents in the north west are satisfied with their benefit offering.

Mike Blake (pictured), director at Willis PMI Group, said: “Given the current focus on reducing the burden of employee ill health and sickness absence on the economy, it is surprising to find the perception of benefits provision is actually on the decline. [Organisations] might ask whether this is due to increasing expectation, a shortfall in provision or a failure to properly communicate available benefits to staff.

“It is important for employers to identify the specific challenges faced by their business and actively engage with their staff in order to better understand what benefits are both needed and wanted. Schemes will be most successful when they align the goals of the organisation with the desires of the employees.”

Find out how to engage staff with benefits at Employee Benefits Live 2016 on 11-12 October at Olympia National, London