More than nine in 10 (94%) employees rate working from home as the most important benefit to them because it increases their productivity and happiness, according to research by Business Name Generator.
Its survey of more than 1,000 UK office-based workers, however, found that just 27% of respondents currently receive this benefit.
The research also found that more than nine in 10 (93%) value flexible working hours and locations, while a cost-of-living payment is the most important benefit among the generation-Z workforce (aged 18-24). Among those aged 55 and over, favoured benefits include a four-day working week and being able to bring their dog to work.
At the other end of the scale, just 37% of those who have access to a bikes-for-work scheme agree that it helps to improve their productivity and happiness, with childcare vouchers (52%) and volunteer days (55%) also among the least popular options offered by employers.
Just over a quarter (28%) of respondents have received additional monetary benefits since the start of the cost-of-living crisis, such as more paid overtime, annual bonuses or one-off cost-of-living payments, while 21% have received free lunches in the office and subsided travel.
Overall, almost a quarter (23%) of respondents said they have left a job because of a lack of workplace benefits. However, more than one-third (37%) said their employer is open to hearing about what benefits its employees would like to see.
When lookkng for a role, more than 60% of job hunters believe a lack of salary information to be a red flag, 46% would not apply for a job that did not have good monetary benefits and 37% would not apply for a job that did not have good wellbeing benefits.
Chloe Chai, spokesperson for Business Name Generator, said: “With no end in sight to the cost-of-living crisis, workplace benefits will continue to be a sticking point for employees. Ultimately, staff will vote with their feet by leaving employers which lag behind their expectations. It’s never been more important for businesses to re-evaluate the perks they have on offer to retain and attract the best talent. The results are clear, flexibility and additional monetary support are the most important benefits to UK office staff.”
