New research from Rippl shows that supermarket vouchers have become the most valued workplace perk among UK employees, overshadowing traditional offerings such as gym memberships.
The analysis, covering benefits data for over 145,000 employees, shows a shift in employee preferences toward perks with tangible financial impact, especially amidst rising living costs.
According to the findings, 98 percent of employees with access to supermarket discounts use them to supplement their weekly shopping, with an average saving of £725 annually. This perk provides direct economic relief, allowing employees to offset some of the financial strain felt in their daily expenses.
Rising Demand for Workplace Dental Care
The research also indicates a high demand for health-related benefits, particularly dental services. With NHS services facing strain and limited appointment availability, 60 percent of employees are now utilising workplace benefits for private dental care, making it the second most valued employee perk. Eye tests are also increasingly seen as valuable.
Salary advances have gained popularity among employees as well. This option, which allows workers in financial need to access portions of their salary before payday, was utilised by 78 percent of employees over the past year. However, while this service addresses immediate financial needs, only 23 percent of employers currently offer it.
Chris Brown, CEO at Rippl, said, “There is a clear link that the most valued workplace perks are those that meaningfully support employees in their everyday life, particularly when it comes to easing the burden of essential expenses and the cost of living.
“Retail and lifestyle discounts are an easily accessible benefit for employees that can help with everyday expenses such as weekly food shops, meals out or family cinema trips. For employers, it’s a simple way to financially support employees in lieu of significant pay rises.”
Gym Memberships Decline in Popularity
Despite traditionally being regarded as a popular workplace perk, gym memberships have seen significantly lower engagement. Rippl’s data reveals that only 8 percent of employees use this benefit, yet 76 percent of employers continue to offer it.
This gap suggests that employees are placing less value on perks that do not directly impact daily expenses or immediate needs, with a preference instead for benefits that provide direct financial or health-related support – but businesses have yet to adjust their perks accordingly.
Chris Brown added, “For workplace perks to truly drive impact, they must help employees’ day-to-day, not just appease a wider business objective or be part of a box-ticking exercise.
“Offering employee benefits that people genuinely value is what sets employers apart – and to do this effectively, the unique priorities of each workforce need to first be understood. To attract and retain talent in today’s competitive market, employers need to priorities their people’s needs and truly support them.”