Job applicants are interested in language courses, a 13th salary and time off. Languages are the preferred benefit; teambuilding and refreshments are not attractive

Prague, 8 September 2016

Language courses, a 13th salary and extra holiday leave are the benefits job applicants are most interested in this year. On the contrary, job applicants are least interested in benefits such as Christmas parties, gifts from their employer, refreshments at the workplace and teambuilding or sports activities. These are the results of a survey by the Grafton Recruitment Agency, which 2,286 respondents participated in this summer.

“The most important topic today is not the actual salary, but benefits and the method of non-financial compensation of employees. The three most preferred benefits last year were a 13th salary, extra holiday leave and a car for private use. This year the 13th salary has fallen to second place and has been replaced by language courses, a benefit that was not even in the TOP10 last year. Extra holiday leave in excess of the statutory requirement came in third, with flexible working hours fourth and home office fifth,“ says Martin Ježek, Business Development Director Grafton Recruitment.

Demand by candidates significantly exceeds offers by employers in relation to language courses and likewise in relation to 13th salaries. Similar differences can also be observed in relation to other benefits, such as a professional coach, a company car for private use, contributions towards living expenses or paid time off for studying. The offer and supply is balanced, particularly in relation to food vouchers and holiday leave in excess of the statutory requirements.

“Companies should also be aware of the fact that various forms of unconstrained working hours, such as flexible working hours, home office or sick days appear quite high on the scale of preferred benefits and have collectively become the most sought after benefit,“ says Martin Ježek.

The Grafton Recruitment survey has registered less demand than supply in relation to company telephones, laptops and internet connections for private use, refreshments at the workplace, teambuilding, social and other sports activities and Christmas parties. Which benefits are least interesting and not very attractive to talented people? These are: offices welcoming to children and dogs, contributions to above-standard and individual healthcare or gifts from the employer on various anniversaries.

Compared to last year the number of people who do not receive any benefit has fallen by two per cent, similarly to the number of employees who receive benefits in the value of up to CZK 499 (a fall by 9 per cent) or valued between CZK 500 and 999 (a fall by 10 per cent). On the contrary, the percentage of people who receive benefits valued between CZK 2,000 and CZK 2,499 has risen to approximately twice the number and the category of employees with benefits valued between CZK 2,500 and 4,999 has risen to three times the number. A total of 52% respondents receive benefits valued up to CZK 2,000, 24.5% of respondents receive benefits valued at over CZK 3,000. “The trend is clear. Employers are gradually providing additional benefits and their value is increasing. Food vouchers and an extra week of holiday leave is a standard offer today, not a benefit,“ Martin Ježek comments.

What value of benefits should satisfy job applicants? The Grafton Recruitment survey indicates that respondents most frequently expect benefits valued between CZK 2,000 and CZK 2,499, or possibly between CZK 3,000 and 3,499. An above-half majority of applicants expects benefits in the value of up to CZK 4,499.