An annual bonus would make 40% of employees feel more positive towards their employer, according to research by Canada Life Group Insurance.
The survey of 1,001 UK employees revealed that bonuses are more highly valued by older staff, with 53% of workers over 55 saying they would view their employer more positively, compared with 42% of those between 35 and 54, and 24% of employees between 18 and 34.
Group risk benefits that would make employees feel more positive towards their employer include holiday entitlements exceeding 20 days, not including bank holidays (36%), private medical insurance (33%), group income protection (31%), group life assurance (26%) and access to critical illness cover (25%).
Other benefits that would increase positivity towards the employer are free eye tests (21%), gym membership (20%), shopping discounts (19%), access to a subsidised canteen (19%), a company car allowance (18%) and an employee assistance programme (17%).
Further down the list are train ticket subsidies or season ticket loans (13%), childcare vouchers (10%) and cycle-to-work schemes (9%).
Paul Avis, marketing director at Canada Life Group Insurance, said: “By offering a wider range of workplace benefits, such as group life assurance and group critical illness, employers would make an active, positive contribution to the wellbeing of their workforce. This would be especially pertinent for millennials, who spend the most out of any age group on wellbeing products.
“Offering a range of wellbeing products would also have its benefits for employers. They would be viewed more positively by staff, which would ensure they maintain a healthier workforce in the long run and aid retention strategies. Not only is this beneficial with regards to current employees but offering products that save money can aid efforts to attract future talent.
“In a post-Brexit Britain, attraction and retention will become increasingly important as the country faces a growing skills and labour gap.”
