Andy Philpott christmas

EXCLUSIVE:

Over one half (61%) of respondents did not receive a Christmas reward from their employer last year, according to research by Edenred.

Its Edenred Christmas reward 2017 report, which surveyed 1,000 UK employees, also found that under half (47%) of respondents have not received a reward from their employer in recognition of hard work or achievements over the past 12 months, including at Christmas,

The research also found:

  • 58% of respondents state that they want a reward other than cash at Christmas, and 61% admit that their employer commonly gives a non-cash reward.
  • 72% of respondents believe Christmas reward is performance related.
  • 61% of respondents feel that Christmas reward makes them feel more appreciated.
  • 26% of respondents work in an organisation where their employer cannot give a reward.
  • 29% of respondents who are able to receive a gift from their employer expect to get one this year.

Andy Philpott (pictured), sales and marketing director at Edenred, said: “It’s clear from our research that although no employer is obliged to give Christmas or end-of-year reward, those who do not are missing an opportunity to generate goodwill in the workplace with an unexpected gift. Rather than being [an] outdated idea, employees see Christmas reward as something which can build engagement and motivation.

“The key learning from our research for those employers who do plan to give something is to ensure they don’t simply fall back on traditional gifts such as cash, wine and chocolates, and make sure they give the gifts which employees actually want. What matters as much as giving a gift is that it is personalised, easy to send and receive and makes use of digital to give a great user experience.”