Work Day or Hotel Stay?
Asked about how to improve employee retention, 26% of workers said special perks would be a strong incentive to remain with a company. Asked to identify one perk that would make their workplace more satisfying, the most common reply was “half-day Fridays,” given by 40% of respondents.
Among the top 10 most-desired special perks are:
- An on-site fitness center—20%;
- Daily catered lunches—17%;
- Massages—16%;
- Private restroom—7%; and
- On-site daycare—6%.
Other notable suggestions were the “ability to wear jeans” (18%), having a “nap room” and “rides to and from work,” both cited by 12%, and a “snack cart that comes around the office” (8%).
Thirty-nine percent of hiring managers polled said they are concerned about losing top talent in 2013. While 66% of workers polled said they are satisfied with their jobs, one-quarter said they will change jobs this year or next.
Not surprisingly, nearly nine in 10 respondents (88%) reported that a bigger salary is more important to them than a better title—55% said having a certain title is not important to them—and 70% reported that increasing salaries is the best way to boost employee retention. For some, a flexible schedule (59%) or the ability to work from home (33%) was key for job satisfaction. Others were more interested in the kind of work they did and reported valuing the ability to make a difference (48%) or be challenged in their work (35%).
Still, 58% said better benefits could reduce voluntary turnover. Behind allowing flexible work hours, listed by 51% of respondents, the most popular responses revolve around providing a more supportive and encouraging environment for employees:
- Increase employee recognition (awards, cash prizes, company trips)—50%
- Ask employees what they want and put feedback into action—48%
- Increase training and learning opportunities—35%
The study was conducted online by Harris Interactive between November 1 and November 30, 2012, among 2,611 hiring managers and human resource professionals. More than 3,900 full-time (not self-employed, nongovernment) workers nationwide were polled about which job factors are most important to them.
—Sara Kelly