Employers often overestimate employee appreciation for benefits, surveys show.
- Two-thirds of employers believe their benefits are highly valued by staff, while only 21% of employees feel the same.
- Employee benefits should be actively communicated and simplified for better appreciation.
- Companies need to regularly assess if their benefits meet employee needs and understanding.
- Effective appreciation measurement is crucial for valuing organisational investment in benefits.
Many employers operate under the assumption that their workforce places a high value on the benefits provided. However, recent findings reveal a significant gap between perception and reality. While 66% of employers believe their staff highly appreciate the benefits, only 21% of employees share this sentiment. This discrepancy underlines the importance of understanding employee needs better.
Employee benefits today are a standard element of employment packages, but their value is compromised if not appropriately communicated and understood. Highlighting how these benefits exceed basic provisions is crucial for them to be recognised and appreciated by employees. Employers must ensure their benefits programs are not only attractive but also easy to access, eliminating potential obstacles to appreciation.
Awareness is not enough; employees need to fully comprehend the extent of the benefits available to them. Continuous evaluation of whether staff understand and can seamlessly access these benefits is essential. If appreciation continues to lag, businesses may need to reassess the appropriateness of their offerings to ensure they align with staff expectations and needs.
Despite the challenges, measuring appreciation effectively remains a complex task. Companies employ various methods, such as informal feedback mechanisms, suggestion boxes, formal surveys, and online engagement metrics to gauge employee satisfaction with benefits. These tools can provide valuable insights but must be used alongside strong communication strategies to be effective.
The link between employee appreciation of benefits and overall sentiment towards their employer is significant. As Katharine Moxham from GRiD points out, “Communication and appreciation are inextricably linked,” stressing the need for clarity in what is offered. Regular updates and adaptations to benefits can foster employee loyalty, as seen during rapid changes prompted by events like the COVID-19 pandemic.
To truly value employee benefits, organisations must bridge the gap between perception and reality through thoughtful communication and assessment.
