A lot of employers have the perception that offering staff benefits has to cost a fortune, but new research from Paymentsense shows that it’s not the expensive perks that employees actually want.

The research, conducted on 2,000 full time office workers, from across the UK, shows that the main perks that staff want are an early finish on a Friday, flexible hours and a free day off here and there, either for birthday, duvet day or moving day.

Obviously, there are some perks that can cost money but research shows that at least six of the top ten don’t have to cost a lot, but will make a lot of difference.

The top ten perks people want

1. Early finish Fridays (35 per cent)
2. Unlimited holiday (35 per cent)
3. Bonuses (company wide) (32 per cent)
4. Flexible hours (30 per cent)
5. Day off for duvet day/birthday holiday/moving house holiday (28 per cent)
6. Performance based bonuses (25 per cent)
7. Gym membership (22 per cent)
8. Remote working (21 per cent)
9. Free fruit/snacks (18 per cent)
10. Extra training (15 per cent)

Keeping staff happy needs to be a priority for businesses it can majorly effect productivity levels, and Paymentsense research shows that one in ten office workers don’t get any perks. Further to this, two thirds of people who gave themselves a work happiness rating of two/ten would consider changing jobs just because of the perks on offer – employers need to be careful! Offering to finish just a couple of hours early on a Friday could help save staff from leaving.

The top perks that staff want to improve motivation

1. Early finish Fridays (26 per cent)
2. Unlimited holiday (25 per cent)
3. Bonuses (company wide) (24 per cent)
4. Flexible hours (22 per cent)
5. Performance based bonus (21 per cent)

Interestingly, some Brits would even sacrifice some of their salary to get certain work perks. More than one in five workers would sacrifice up to 15 per cent of their salary so they could have flexible working!

Further reading on perks

• SMEs focus on the power of employee benefits