More than half (54%) of employees believe that their current workplace benefits need to be re-evaluated due to the increase to remote working, according to research by Blackhawk Network.
Its research, published November 2020, which surveyed 2,001 employees in the UK, found that only one-third (32%) of employees believe that their current benefits do not need to change.
However, 29% of employees do not feel their organisation are supporting them during the pandemic, while two-fifths (41%) of respondents cited the lack of face-to-face communication with their fellow co-workers is their biggest frustration. Furthermore, issues with technology have been a key issue for 29% of respondents working remotely.
Over one-third, (37%) of female employees recall receiving a gift or bonus from their employer in 2019, compared to 46% of male staff. In previous years, 26% of staff aged 18-24 have been given a day off work for Christmas, compared to 7% of those aged 56-74.
Chris Ronald, vice president, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), incentives and benefits at Blackhawk Network, said: “2020 has presented a range of issues that will be most testing for the careers of today’s leaders and managers. Whilst risk mitigation and contingency plans will be acted on and employers will manage change, there will also be an inevitable sense of not being in total control of the new ways of working and employee expectations.
“With every penny being scrutinised, employers need to have robust business cases and a return on investment (ROI) justification for all expenditure. With employees taking a closer look at the value and relevance of their benefits packages, it is time for employers to take a step back and be realistic that driving engagement and loyalty from a remote workforce is tough – and is not going to get easier anytime soon. Take time to review what you offer, be creative and mix it up to enter 2021 with a commitment to re-energise and reconnect with your teams.”