Work-life balance rated higher than traditional benefits

Gym
memberships and career breaks are rated more highly than profit schemes
according to the latest salary and benefits survey.

The
research, which looked at 1,150 companies, found that work-life balance issues
are becoming increasingly important and rating well above traditional benefits
such as profit shares.

Paternity
leave above the legal level was offered by 48 per cent of the firms questioned,
while gym memberships and career breaks were given by 20 per cent and 16 per
cent respectively.

However,
the most popular benefit was still the company car or car allowance with 58 per
cent offering a vehicle. Many others also offered option of a car or the cash
equivalent.

The
study by recruiter David Chorley showed that childcare facilities were only
offered by 3 per cent of firms, most common in the public sector.

By Ross Wigham