More UK businesses are turning to online benefits platforms to support employee engagement, a survey has found.
Aon’s UK Benefits and Trends Survey 2025, based on responses from 240 HR, reward, and benefits professionals, found that half of organisations already use an online benefits platform. A further 21 percent said they planned to implement one within the next three years. However, almost a fifth (19 percent) reported no plans to adopt a platform, while 10 percent said they offered flexible benefits without one.
The findings point to a wider trend towards digital employee experiences. More than seven in ten (71 per cent) respondents said they expected to adapt benefits to meet the needs of future generations. At the same time, 89 percent reported changes in employee expectations, with work-life balance (90 percent) and flexible working hours (87 percent) cited as top priorities. Awareness and handling of mental health issues also remained a strong focus, identified by 74 percent of respondents.
By contrast, the emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion and environmental, social and governance issues has dipped since the consultant’s previous survey in 2022. This year, 56 percent of respondents identified DEI as a priority and 41 percent pointed to ESG.
The 2025 survey shows a shift in priorities for online benefits, with ‘recruiting new talent’ and ‘cost management’ now ahead of ‘employee retention’, which was the main focus in 2022.
Terry Gostelow, principal strategy consultant in health and benefits at Aon, said: “UK employers are recognising that they need to review their strategies and be innovative if they are to remain competitive in retaining present employees and attracting future ones.
“Our survey makes it clear that employers are increasingly aware of the changing expectations of employees, particularly regarding the need for a digital employee experience, personalised benefits and flexibility across work practices. This shift is indicative of a broader trend where businesses are understanding the value of their people as their greatest asset.
“The data suggests that employers are increasingly identifying that they have to evolve their benefit offerings to cater to a diverse and multi-generational talent pool – and that technology offers them the opportunity to do so. Employees’ expectations have changed and while in the past it might have been more complex to address their needs, now – by leveraging data and analytics, strategic investment, and integrated solutions – employers can effectively attract, retain, and empower their entire workforce.”
