Salary is still the most important benefit for nearly half of employees (45%) when looking for a new job – but almost the same number (42%) would look for a company that offers flexible working hours, a study found.
Other top work perks for job-hunters include a minimum of five weeks' annual leave (34%), the ability to work from anywhere you want (25%), and good sick pay (14%).
And nearly three-quarters (71%), of the 2,000 workers polled, said they would be more inclined to stay in a job if they felt their employer was “caring” – and offered a substantial benefits package.
Over half of those polled (52%) revealed they have looked for other jobs in the past 12 months – with one in five considering healthcare as a priority when it comes to job benefits.
In fact, 61% said they would be more likely to apply for a job that offered a health plan or other wellbeing benefits, compared to one that didn't.
Sue Weir, chief executive for health cash plan Medicash, which commissioned the research, said: “The days of a job being only about salary have gone, and for many, the other perks offered can sometimes be just as, if not more, attractive.
“And while good salary increases and flexible working hours rank highly, people are now taking care of their health more than ever.
“After the past few years, more and more of us are wanting an additional layer of protection to keep us and our families safe.
“That’s shown in our findings, too – as 62% of people think a salary is as important as a caring employer.”
The research also found 43% of workers want health benefits to be offered by their employers on a paid or subsidised basis – but just 27% currently have this in their workplace.
The study, which also polled 500 HR professionals, found 71% feel healthcare is an important benefit for current and prospective employees.
More than half (53%) also went as far as to say this perk plays a role in retaining staff.
A quarter claim to have had staff leave within the last three years due to a lack of health and wellbeing support benefits.
And just 15% considered their employers to be very good at keeping hold of staff and talent.
Worryingly, 82% of HR staff, polled via OnePoll, said they had seen an increase in people taking time off for their mental health during the “Covid years”.
And 91% were worried about the mental or physical impact the cost-of-living crisis could have on their staff.
The full report, created by Medicash, can be read in full here.
Sue Weir added: “Our research of both HR professionals and everyday employees provides a unique insight into the state of the UK’s workforce.
“There’s a lot of pressure on employees during these testing times, and workers need to feel as if they are being supported by their employers.
“It seems there’s a growing sense among workers that they feel they deserve that support, and it’s on employers to help provide it, and make working conditions as good as possible.
“If that can be achieved, it will undoubtedly lead to a happier workplace, and employers will keep hold of their best talent – a win-win situation for everyone.”
TOP 10 THINGS BRITS LOOK FOR WHEN DECIDING ON A NEW JOB:
- The salary (45%)
- Flexible working hours (42%)
- Five weeks' minimum annual leave (34%)
- The ability to work from anywhere you want (25%)
- The opportunity for promotion and to rise through the ranks (22%)
- A health plan or other wellbeing benefits (20%)
- A great team of colleagues (19%)
- Good sick pay (14%)
- Understanding and friendly bosses (13%)
- A four-day working week (10%)
- An extensive training scheme (8%)
