Exit or Stay? The Great Benefits Debate
According to fresh research from Zest, a whopping 56% of workers would jump ship if a rival company tossed them a sweet perks bundle. Yet only 39% of employees feel their current benefits actually give them good bang for their buck.
The Shift in Talent Priorities
Benefits are no longer just a nice-to-have—they’re becoming the deciding factor for where people choose to work. Two out of three employees (63%) say that perks like pension contributions or healthcare have risen in importance. And for the younger crowd aged 18‑34, the number climbs to a stunning 72%.
The Big Gap
But the story isn’t all rosy. Nearly half of that younger group feels the workplace perks are, well, underwhelming (47%). Overall, 41% of workers think their current benefits just don’t cut it.
What’s Hot…
- Private medical insurance tops the list (32%)
- Higher pension contributions next (32%)
- Employer covers home energy bills – almost a quarter (24%)
And what’s on the wish‑list
- More pension contributions (32%)
- Mindfulness programs (9%)
So why the mismatch? Only 14% of firms rolled out mindfulness courses in the past year, and a 12% bump in pension contributions. The numbers show a clear disconnect between what the workforce craves and what companies are offering.
When Pay Is Tight, Perks Matter
A fifth of companies (19%) admit they simply can’t keep raising salaries. For them, stepping up their benefits package becomes an essential lifeline to keep talent from hopping over to a rival that’s happily plopping more money in retirement pots or offering tighter health coverage.
Zest’s Take: Give Employees What They Want!
“Don’t leave your people out in the cold,” says Matt Russell, CEO of Zest. “If you’re ignoring their financial needs, the talent drain will be brutal. Yes, investment in benefits is a must, but it has to be meaningful—boost pensions, do real mental‑health initiatives, and show you actually care.”
Companies that do get this right not only attract better talent but also reap higher productivity. A generous, targeted benefits lineup can give a firm a competitive edge—think of it as the secret sauce that boosts both morale and performance.
About Zest
With over 500 customers—including Hargreaves Lansdown, Taylor Wimpey, Yahoo and Travis Perkins—Zest supports more than 300,000 employees worldwide. Their award‑winning platform lets employers tailor benefits flexibly and get real‑time ROI insights.
Companies looking to slay the benefits game can unlock savings on employer NI contributions and reduce talent turnover with Zest’s tools—just give it a whirl.
