Two-fifths (44%) of employee respondents are most interested to receive between 22 and 35 days of paid annual leave as an employee benefit, according to research by insurance organisation Aviva.
Its survey of 2,011 UK employees and 502 managers with recruitment responsibilities further found that other workplace benefits staff are most interested in include a pension scheme (41%), flexible working opportunities (39%), paid sick leave or critical illness cover (38%) and bonuses or profit and share schemes (25%).
Colin Williams (pictured), managing director of workplace benefits at Aviva, said: “Workplace benefits have really come under the spotlight in recent years as employers and employees realise that while salary is important, there’s more that can be offered.
“But, while we hear of [organisations] across the world experimenting with a range of benefits, some more unusual than others, it’s encouraging to see that employees still value the more traditional benefits.”
More than four in 10 (43%) of employee respondents cite that they are least interested in being able to have dogs in the office as a workplace benefit; this compares to 35% who are disinterested in entertainment at work, such as films, video games and table football, and 31% who do not value childcare vouchers or on-site childcare.
Around a quarter (26%) are not interested in social events, for example parties and away days, as a workplace benefit, while a further 26% are not interested in free or subsidised gym memberships.
Despite 85% of employees revealing that they would choose a salary increase over an improvement to their workplace benefits, 38% of employer respondents would prefer to improve their benefits package rather than raise salaries.
Williams added: “Offering holiday, a decent pension and access to flexible working are clearly important to employees. These types of benefits can help create the foundations of a resilient workforce and a resilient business.”