Workplace benefits play an important role in attracting, engaging and retaining talent – yet employees do not always see value in their existing benefits, while employers generally overestimate them.
Alight’s new Workplace Benefits in a Changing World 2023 report surveyed 1,400 employees and 420 mid-sized to large employers across France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom to understand the differences between employers’ and employees’ priorities and needs regarding benefits. According to the findings, more than half (57%) of UK employers believe they understand what benefits their employees want, whereas only 38% of employees say their benefits are actually meeting their needs.
Additionally, more than three-quarters (77%) of UK employers insist their benefits go beyond local requirements, while just over a third (34%) of employees believe their companies offer substantial benefits beyond those required by local legislation.
A gap in communication and understanding could be one factor influencing the disconnect between employers and employees.
For example, almost three-quarters (71%) of UK employees think ongoing communication will help them to understand their benefits better. This is a low-hanging fruit that employers may be able to enhance with minimal effort. The study also found that omnichannel communication solutions, such as those using SMS, apps, shared hubs, as well as automated tools like chatbots, can be an effective way to create more transparency between the employee and employer. Additionally, 63% of employees also believe that individual advice sessions based on personal needs is another method that could improve benefit communications.
Jan Pieter Janssen, vice president of business development at Alight, commented:
Organisations need to take a proactive approach to workplace benefits to bridge the gap between employers and employees. Every employee has unique needs, values and interests, and today’s workplace is constantly changing. It is crucial for employers to identify ways to innovate and future-proof benefits strategies and provide employees with an integrated, personalised and technology-driven experience. This will help to improve the awareness and utilisation of benefit programmes, drive greater returns on investment for employers, enhance the overall employee wellbeing, and ultimately help to attract and retain talents now and in the future.
Jan Pieter Janssen, vice president of business development at Alight
To learn more about the Workplace Benefits in a Changing World 2023 report, download the UK edition of the 2023 report here.
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.