Why remote work is the cream of the crop of employee benefits

Of the top five top-ranking employee benefits, four are already included with remote work by default.

With the UK experiencing a cost-of-living crisis, employees and job seekers are paying more attention than ever to not just how much a job is paying, but what other benefits they can secure as part of the package.

After the COVID pandemic, more people began paying attention to benefits more than salary, to the point where at least some form of hybrid work is now expected right off the bat.

The stakes are higher now that people are also looking for ways to beat the increasing cost of living.

And, according to a new study of what the highest-rated employee benefits are, remote work is still king as far as those extra perks are concerned.

 

The top 5 highest-rated employee benefits

BHN Extras, an employee benefits platform, recently conducted a study on which benefits UK workers rated as the most important — and hence the most desirable.

That study found that the top 5 highest-rated employee benefits are:

• Flexible work options
• Cost-of-living savings (childcare, equipment, group discounts, etc.)
• Room for growth (promotions, professional development, etc.)
• Less commuting
• Health and wellness benefits

 

Why remote work still comes out on top

Notably, these results find that flexible work itself is already the most desirable benefit among the UK labour force.

Flexible, remote and hybrid working have remained popular throughout the height of the pandemic and that continues to be the case.

People want better work-life balance even more than they want a high salary, according to several studies.

The fact that it’s still rated so highly even as workers look for ways to save on the cost of living is telling of the incredibly high priority Brits place in work-life balance.

However, even aside from that, remote work can also help check the boxes for three of the other top benefits: cost-of-living savings, less commuting and health and wellness benefits.

Cost-of-living savings

British employees can save an estimated £300 per year as compared to their counterparts who work in-person, according to research from workplace solutions company Banner.

Remote workers have to spend less income on childcare, and if their employer provides company equipment for use — as many do — then that’s another expense they don’t have to dip into their pockets for.

Less commuting

Naturally, remote workers dramatically reduce their commute cost and time, possibly getting rid of it altogether. This is a major benefit as most workers say they don’t find the office experience worth the commute hassle to begin with, and most would happily work at home to avoid it.

Health & wellness

Research continues to show that remote work significantly contributes to better overall wellness, thanks to the work-life balance it offers employees. Benefits that allow employees to enrol in wellness programs like yoga or meditation are fantastic no matter whether they work in-office or remote, but certainly the ability to work comfortably at home helps improve mental well-being.

Find the latest remote jobs in the UK via RemoteWorker.co.uk.