A new report has revealed that fewer than two in five (38%) UK employees say their workplace benefits are meeting their needs.
The research by Alight found that nearly three in five (57%) employers nationally believe they know what benefits their staff want.
The technology and service provider’s Workplace Benefits in a Changing World 2023 report further discovered that more than three-quarters (77%) of UK organisations think their benefits go beyond local requirements, compared to just over a third (34%) of workers who agree.
Jan Pieter Janssen, vice president of business development at Alight, said: “Organisations need to take a proactive approach to workplace benefits to bridge the gap between employers and employees. Every employee has unique needs, values and interests, and today’s workplace is constantly changing.”
The survey of workers across multiple industries showed that more than seven in 10 (71%) UK employees believe they could understand their benefits better with the help of ongoing communication, while 63% think that one-to-one advice sessions based on individual needs could also enhance benefits communications.
Pieter Janssen added: “It is crucial for employers to identify ways to innovate and future-proof benefits strategies and provide employees with an integrated, personalised and technology-driven experience. This will help to improve the awareness and utilisation of benefit programmes, drive greater returns on investment for employers, enhance the overall employee wellbeing, and ultimately help to attract and retain talents now and in the future.”
Carried out to understand the differing workplace benefits priorities of employers and employees, the study polled 1,400 workers and 420 mid- to large-sized organisations in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.