While 85 per cent of employees believe workplace perks are as important or more important to them now than before the coronavirus pandemic, 65 per cent said their employer hasn’t added any new perks since the pandemic’s onset, according to a new survey by workplace management platform Robin Powered Inc.
The survey, which polled nearly 600 full-time employees, found 23 per cent of respondents said their perks had been “wiped out.” Social gatherings (31 per cent), work from home days (30 per cent) and free food and snacks in the office (28 per cent) were the most popular pre-pandemic perks, while free food (25 per cent), health and fitness reimbursement (20 per cent) and travel reimbursement (17 per cent) were the most common perks to be carried over into the pandemic.
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Among the 30 per cent who said their employers responded to the pandemic with updated perks, the most popular are the option to work from anywhere (44 per cent), additional time off (36 per cent), flexible working hours (32 per cent) and wellness stipends (23 per cent). Respondents who didn’t receive updated perks said they want more time off (45 per cent), wellness stipends (30 per cent) and the option to work from anywhere (29 per cent).
Employees early in their career (30 per cent) saw most of their perks eliminated during the pandemic and 73 per cent of these employees haven’t received any new perks. Half (52 per cent) said they want additional time off.
Meanwhile, roughly 40 per cent of managers and directors said they’ve received new perks since the onset of the pandemic and only 18 per cent saw their pre-pandemic perks wiped out. These respondents also prioritized additional time off (42 per cent), as well as stipends for internet (34 per cent) and cellphones (32 per cent). Executives and vice-presidents also said they want additional time off (28 per cent), as well as stipends for cellphones (21 per cent) and meal deliveries (19 per cent).
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The vast majority (91 per cent) of employees aged 18 to 29 said additional mental-health benefits are important, while 32 per cent said they also want a wellness stipend. Just over half (51 per cent) of employees aged 30 to 44 said perks are more important to them than ever before and are among the top three factors they consider when choosing an employer. By comparison, 56 per cent of employees aged 60 or older and 43 per cent of employees aged 45 to 60 said their preference for perks hasn’t changed.