The benefits employees actually want

The benefits employees actually want: Flexible work practices and career progression

Over three-quarters (77%) of New Zealand workers would like a job offering flexible work practices, with career progression opportunities (67%) and ongoing learning & development (62%) also important when job searching, according to a survey by recruiting experts Hays conducted for the annual Hays Salary Guide.

These rank ahead of more than 20 days’ annual leave (30%), health and wellness programs (22%), financial support for study (10%) and payment of usage charges for employee-owned devices at work (9%).

As for the benefits employees say they receive, 71% get flexible work practices, 63% ongoing learning & development and 51% career progression opportunities.

Less popular offerings are health and wellness programs (47%), over 20 days’ annual leave (37%), payment of usage charges for employee-owned devices at work (33%), financial support for study (32%), free or subsidised food (25%), a day off for your birthday (16%) and onsite childcare (2%).

“With the value of salary increases falling for many compared to their last review, the benefits an organisation offers will help to attract and retain top talent, particularly if they support career advancement,” says Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand.

Flexibility is standard, making its absence a recruiting limitation

Flexible work practices is the number one benefit professionals want (77%) and receive (71%), but just 45% of employees are ‘very satisfied’ or ‘extremely satisfied’ with their current level of work-life balance.

“An organisation that doesn’t offer flexible working options is now in the minority and this has an obvious impact on attraction and retention,” says Jason. “You can get back in the game to compete for the top talent by reviewing and implementing policies in this area, such as staggered start and finish times.”

According to the survey, the most common flexible working practices employers offer in New Zealand are flexible working hours and compressed working weeks (75%), flex-place, such as working from home or an alternative location (66%) and part-time employment (64%). Less common are flexible leave options, such as purchased leave (27%), career breaks (13%), phased retirement (10%) and job sharing (also 10%).

The annual Hays Salary Guide is based on a survey of 486 organisations in New Zealand representing over 181,000 employees.

Get your copy of the 2018-19 Hays Salary Guide by visiting www.hays.net.nz/salary, contacting your local Hays office or downloading The Hays Salary Guide 2018 iPhone app from iTunes.

Hays, the world’s leading recruiting experts in qualified, professional and skilled people.
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